Total Spontaneous Regression of Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma after Biopsy: Review and a New Case

The clinical behavior is characterized by high incidence of local recurrence (27%–60%), of lymph node metastases (45%–91%), and of distant metastases in the liver, bone, brain, lung, or skin (18%–52%). The incidence of disease-related death is as high as 35% to almost 50%. Despite its highly malignant nature, spontaneous regression has occasionally been reported. The first recorded case of spontaneous regression (CSR) of MCC was described in 1986; since then, other such cases have been reported, bringing the total to 14. Of the total number of 14 cases, 12 cases can be classified as complete spontaneous regression after only the performance of a biopsy.

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