Paraneoplastic and metastatic neurologic complications of Merkel cell carcinoma

Mayo Clin Proc. 2001 Mar;76(3):327-30. doi: 10.4065/76.3.327.

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor that is locally aggressive and frequently accompanied by distant metastases. Neurologic complications of Merkel cell carcinoma are rare. We describe a 69-year-old man who presented with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and was found to have Merkel cell carcinoma. The paraneoplastic syndrome improved with initial treatment of the malignancy. He subsequently developed a solitary brain metastasis and died of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / diagnosis
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / complications*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis