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.