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Merkel cell carcinoma arising after therapeutic immunosuppression
Author(s) -
GOOPTU C.,
WOOLLONS, A.,
ROSS J.,
PRICE M.,
WOJNAROWSKA F.,
MORRIS P.J.,
WALL S.,
BUNKER C.B.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1997.tb03802.x
Subject(s) - azathioprine , merkel cell carcinoma , immunosuppression , medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , dermatology , organ transplantation , population , carcinoma , transplantation , oncology , immunology , disease , environmental health
Summary Azathioprine and cyclosporin have been used as immunosuppressants for many years, but long‐term use has also been associated with neoplasia. We report three cases of rapidly fatal Merkel cell carcinoma in patients who had been treated with azathioprine for many years either for rheumatoid arthritis or following organ transplantation. Two of these patients had also received cyclosporin. We suggest that Merkel cell carcinoma may be seen more commonly in immunosuppressed patients than in the normal population and that the oncogenic potential of azathioprine and cyclosporin should be borne in mind when prescribing these drugs.