An Extensive Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma due to Fright of COVID-19

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a subtype of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) with increasing incidence. Clinically, MCC resembles other far less-aggressive NMSCs, and the pathogenesis is still not understood completely. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve overall survival. We presen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Case Reports in Dermatology 2021, p.525-529
Main Authors: Danielsen, Maria, Høgsberg, Trine, Lorentzen, Henrik Frank, Ann-Kathrine Rahr German Rossau
Format: Report
Language:English
Online Access:Request full text
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Summary:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a subtype of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) with increasing incidence. Clinically, MCC resembles other far less-aggressive NMSCs, and the pathogenesis is still not understood completely. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve overall survival. We present a case report of a 74-year-old female, who had noticed a rapidly growing, oozing tumor on her right flank. She was hesitant to contact the dermatology ward where she had regular checkups as she was afraid of contracting COVID-19. This was in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. At presentation, she had a large exophytic MCC on her right flank and multiple metastases. The disease was at a late stage, and palliative care was the only treatment option left. With this case, we wish to report a rather uncharacteristic location and size of an MCC tumor and suggest that fear of the pandemic and the COVID-19 lockdown has impacted dramatically on attendance of symptomatic patients.
DOI:10.1159/000519649