Merkel cell carcinoma: the use of surgery and radiotherapy for locoregional control.

Merkel cell tumours are rare skin cancers with an unpredictable clinical course. Correct diagnosis requiring immunohistochemical staining is essential since the treatment differs entirely from that of basalioma. Locally limited disease as well as rapidly fatal course have been observed. In a small series of 5 patients and from literature data, surgery continued with radiotherapy for locoregional control is advocated as optimal approach since this type of tumour can behave differently compared to basal cell carcinomas.