AN ANALYSIS OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN CUTANEOUS NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA

Since the first report of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel c ell carcinoma) in 1972, knowledge of the biological behavior of this t umor has continued to increase. This study reviews three previously un reported cases in addition to reports on 429 patients collected from t he literature. The presenting features of these 306 patients were anal yzed for frequency and then were analyzed by the Cox proportional haza rd model for the relationship of each to recurrence and outcome. This study confirms that cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma is an aggressiv e disease; that the most common cause of death in these patients is by distant metastasis; and that men have succumbed more frequently than women. As a result of this study, aggressive treatment of cutaneous ne uroendocrine carcinoma is recommended, especially in the male patient.