The Merkel cell carcinoma: survival and oncogene markers

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and malignant tumour. Surv ival data and prognostic factors are scarce. Aim To investigate the usefulness of biological markers to predict the prog nosis for these aggressive tumours. Methods C-myc oncoprotein and proliferation was analysed in specimens from 13 patients with MCC, treated between 1983 and 1997. The average age at pre sentation was 68.3 years. Overall follow-up ranged from 14 to 158 months, w ith a mean of 68.2 months. Specimens were analysed by immunohistochemistry for proliferation (mib-1) and flow cytometry for oncogene activity (c-myc). Results The median positivity was 52% for the c-myc oncogene and 50% for pr oliferation, but these did not correlate to survival as analysed by the Kap lan-Meier method. Other parameters such as median age at presentation, sex, site of tumour and adjuvant radiotherapy were also analysed, but none were found to be significant. Conclusions This study showed that neither c-myc oncogene activity or mitot ic index in MCC can be related to patient survival.