[Evaluation of Treatment and Prognosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Eyelid in Japan]

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the management and prognosis of Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid in Japanese patients.

Subjects And Methods: Cases diagnosed as Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid from January 1993 to February 2005 in 111 institutions in Japan were included in this retrospective study. Management and prognosis were evaluated.

Results: The total number of cases enrolled was 21(5 male and 16 female patients). Excision of the tumor was carried out in 18 cases. Two cases were treated with either irradiation or local injection of interferon after biopsy of the tumor. After initial treatment, there were recurrences in 3 cases; local recurrence in one case and nodal metastasis in two cases. No patient died because of Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid.

Conclusions: Excision with wide surgical margins with irradiation is recommended as the first choice of treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Because the number of patients was only 21 and the duration of observation was short, further investigation is necessary to determine the optimal management and more accurate prognosis for Merkel cell carcinoma.