Merkel cell cancer other diagnostic studies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Other diagnostic studies for merkel cell cancer include skin biopsy, which demonstrates positive cytokeratin-20 , and electron microscopy, which demonstrates granules, and cytoplasmic extensions.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Skin biopsy
Skin biopsy may be helpful in the diagnosis of merkel cell cancer.
- Findings diagnostic of merkel cell cancer include:
- The histopathological diagnosis of merkel cell cancer is difficult, and the majority of cases with merkel cell cancer are often misdiagnosed.
- On skin biopsy, merkel cell cancer is characterized by positive staining on cytokeratin-20 immunohistochemical assay.[1]
Electron microscopy
- On electron microscopy, merkel cell cancer is characterized by the presence of:
- Neurosecretory granules within cytoplasmic extensions.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Heath M, Jaimes N, Lemos B, Mostaghimi A, Wang LC, Peñas PF; et al. (2008). “Clinical characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma at diagnosis in 195 patients: the AEIOU features”. J Am Acad Dermatol. 58 (3): 375–81. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.11.020. PMC 2335370. PMID 18280333.
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