MERKEL CELL-CARCINOMA IN A RENAL-TRANSPLANT PATIENT - INCREASED INCIDENCE

The identification of malignancies associated with transplantation has led to enhanced vigilance and care in these patients, as well as insi ght into the pathogenesis of select malignancies. We report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma, an uncommon cutaneous malignancy of neuroendocr ine origin, diagnosed in a 65-year-old Caucasian man 6 years after ren al transplantation. While it is well known that transplant patients ar e at increased risk for squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, other ty pes may also have an increased frequency. We suggest that Merkel cell carcinoma could have an increased incidence in the transplant populati on.