Merkel cell carcinoma: An imitator of benign lesions

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignancy of neuroendocrine origin that often presents with a cutaneous nodule in sun-exposed areas. The most common demographic affected is white males in the seventh to eighth decades of life, with risk factors including sun exposure, fair skin, advanced age, and immunosuppression. While the incidence is low compared with melanoma, it has been increasing over the last three decades. A violaceous to blue nodule is most commonly found, but there have been reports in the literature of MCC presenting as benign dermatologic lesions such as epidermal inclusion cysts and lipomas.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research