Merkel cell carcinoma: Overall survival after open biopsy versus wide local excision

Background. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin with a dismal prognosis. Methods. We conducted a retrospective medical chart review of patients with MCC who were initially diagnosed with an open biopsy (n=30) or wide local excision (n=24). Results. Stages I, II, and III disease was found in 38%, 20%, and 16%, respectively. The 2-year and 5-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were 64.8% and 38.8% versus 45.2% and 26.4%, respectively. Cox regression multivariate model, including tissue sampling technique, re-resection, therapy modalities, pathological staging, and T and N classifications, showed that patients diagnosed initially with an open biopsy have significant worse overall (p=.014) and disease-free (p=.005) survival rates compared with patients who had a wide local excision. Conclusion. This study showed an improved overall survival in patients with MCC after wide local excision compared to open biopsy of the primary site at first diagnosis. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.