Radiotherapy in Merkel cell carcinoma of facial skin with lymph node recurrence

Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumour. Although surgical resection is a treatment choice, it often occurs in the head and neck and occurs mainly in the elderly, making surgery impossible. Radical radiation therapy may be an alternative to surgery in these patients. In addition, radiation treatment may be performed even after recurrence after surgery. Methods: An 82-year-old MCC patient had cT2N0M0, stage IIA MCC on the left cheek that metastasised to lymph node 2 months after surgery. She was treated with radiation monotherapy with a hypofractionation schedule (39 Gy at 3 Gy per fraction). Results: The patient achieved complete remission after radiotherapy without severe toxicities.