Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Merkel cell cancer other diagnostic studies
Introduction
Overview
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
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
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.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Â ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]