Akriti Pokhrel, Ruchi Yadav, Jing Zheng and Jen Chin Wang*
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly malignant skin tumor of neuroendocrine origin. MCC is a highly metastatic cancer with a very fast rate of progression. Its metastatic sites usually include the regional para-aortic lymph nodes, the liver, the bones, and the lungs. Metastases to the pancreas are exceptionally rare more so with solitary metastasis. This causes diagnostic dilemmas; with frequent misinterpretation as primary Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (pNETs), especially Poorly Differentiated Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (PNECs). It is most important to accurately distinguish MCC metastases from pNETs because of differences in treatment and outcome. Of the two, the morphology is fairly similar in imaging and initially in the histopathological examinations where they both appear to be pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Published Date: 2024-08-05; Received Date: 2024-07-03
