Abstract
A 79-year-old woman with Merkel cell carcinoma is reported. She noticed an asymptomatic red papule on her left thigh about 6 months previously. The papule expanded gradually despite application of steroid ointment. Therefore, she visited our hospital. She developed a red, domeshaped tumor, 5mm in diameter, at the flexor surface on her left thigh. Histologically, the tumor invaded the dermis and subcutaneous tissue and did not extend into the epidermis. Atypical small cells were seen, with a trabecular pattern. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity to CK18, CK20, chromogranine A and NSE. We performed wide local excision. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2002; 17: 238-240]
