A Rare Case of a Lower Lip Merkel Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis and treatment

Merkel cell carcinoma is (MCC) a rare type of skin malignancy that appears as a result of a disorganized multiplication of the Merkel cells and has a high rate of recurrence and metastases even from early stages. We describe the case of an 84-year old women diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma of the lower lip. Surgical treatment was realised with tumor excision and reconstruction using advancement flaps. Postoperative cosmetic and functional results were excellent, but invasion of the lateral margins, the patient's decision of refusing re-excision and delayed radiotherapy lead to a rapid recurrence within 3 weeks. Responsiveness to subsequent radiotherapy was very good with regression of the recurrent tumor and decreasing of the local discomfort. Surgical treatment Merkel cell carcinoma of the lip is sometimes very challenging for a surgeon due to the necessity of wide resection and of the patient's cosmetic concern. Radiotherapy remained an efficient therapy of Merkel cell carcinoma and should be used as a single or adjuvant therapy in situations where surgery cannot be applied, cisplatin chemotherapy being used for metastasis.