Dermoscopy of Merkel cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous tumor whose clinical presentation, usually a pink nodule, is not specific. We aimed in this study to determine the dermoscopic criteria encountered in MCC.

METHODS

From our image database we selected the patients diagnosed with MCC and scored the dermoscopic criteria shown by these tumors.

RESULTS

Ten patients coming from three different academic hospitals were studied. Vascular structures were the more relevant dermoscopic features. In 8 out of 10 (80%) patients a polymorphic vascular pattern was seen, composed of milky-red clods/areas in association with one or more additional vascular structures.

CONCLUSION

Although an overlap existed between the dermoscopic features observed in MCC and amelanotic melanoma, the presence of a polymorphous vascular pattern may constitute an additional clinical clue to accurately diagnose this rare tumor.