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Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy
Author(s) -
Bishop Andrew J.,
Garden Adam S.,
Gunn G. Brandon,
Rosenthal David I.,
Beadle Beth M.,
Fuller Clifton D.,
Levy Lawrence B.,
Gillenwater Ann M.,
Kies Merrill S.,
Esmaeli Bita,
Frank Steven J.,
Phan Jack,
Morrison William H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24017
Subject(s) - medicine , merkel cell carcinoma , neck dissection , radiation therapy , head and neck , hazard ratio , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , overall survival , carcinoma , surgery , head and neck cancer , radiology , oncology , confidence interval
Background The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck using a radiation‐based treatment approach. Methods We reviewed records of 106 consecutive patients with MCC of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy (RT) at our institution between 1988 and 2011. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate outcomes and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Results The 5‐year actuarial local and regional control rates were 96% and 96%, respectively. There were no regional recurrences in 22 patients treated with RT to gross nodal disease without neck dissection. The 5‐year cause‐specific survival rate was 76%. Lymphadenopathy at presentation impacted distant metastatic‐free survival outcomes ( p < .001). Treatment was well tolerated with only 5 patients having grade ≥3 toxicities. Conclusion For MCC of the head and neck, a management strategy that includes RT offers excellent locoregional control. Gross nodal disease can be successfully treated with RT. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38 : E452–E458, 2016