Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy

Andrew J. Bishop; Adam S. Garden; G. Brandon Gunn; David I. Rosenthal; Beth Michelle Beadle; Clifton D. Fuller; Lawrence B. Levy; Ann M. Gillenwater; Merrill S Kies; Bita Esmaeli; Steven J. Frank; Jack Phan; William H. Morrison

doi:10.1002/hed.24017

Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy

Andrew J. Bishop, Adam S. Garden, G. Brandon Gunn, David I. Rosenthal, Beth Michelle Beadle, Clifton D. Fuller, Lawrence B. Levy, Ann M. Gillenwater, Merrill S Kies, Bita Esmaeli, Steven J. Frank, Jack Phan, William H. Morrison

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck using a radiation-based treatment approach. Methods We reviewed records of 106 consecutive patients with MCC of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy (RT) at our institution between 1988 and 2011. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Results The 5-year actuarial local and regional control rates were 96% and 96%, respectively. There were no regional recurrences in 22 patients treated with RT to gross nodal disease without neck dissection. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 76%. Lymphadenopathy at presentation impacted distant metastatic-free survival outcomes (p <.001). Treatment was well tolerated with only 5 patients having grade ≥3 toxicities. Conclusion For MCC of the head and neck, a management strategy that includes RT offers excellent locoregional control. Gross nodal disease can be successfully treated with RT.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	E452-E458
Journal	Head and Neck
Volume	38
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.24017
State	Published - Apr 1 2016

Keywords

Merkel cell carcinoma
adjuvant therapy
cutaneous neuroendocrine
head and neck
radiotherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Otorhinolaryngology

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10.1002/hed.24017

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@article{2d59f46826a04eda8a2147644b318da1,

title = "Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy",

abstract = "Background The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck using a radiation-based treatment approach. Methods We reviewed records of 106 consecutive patients with MCC of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy (RT) at our institution between 1988 and 2011. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Results The 5-year actuarial local and regional control rates were 96% and 96%, respectively. There were no regional recurrences in 22 patients treated with RT to gross nodal disease without neck dissection. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 76%. Lymphadenopathy at presentation impacted distant metastatic-free survival outcomes (p <.001). Treatment was well tolerated with only 5 patients having grade ≥3 toxicities. Conclusion For MCC of the head and neck, a management strategy that includes RT offers excellent locoregional control. Gross nodal disease can be successfully treated with RT.",

keywords = "Merkel cell carcinoma, adjuvant therapy, cutaneous neuroendocrine, head and neck, radiotherapy",

author = "Bishop, {Andrew J.} and Garden, {Adam S.} and Gunn, {G. Brandon} and Rosenthal, {David I.} and Beadle, {Beth Michelle} and Fuller, {Clifton D.} and Levy, {Lawrence B.} and Gillenwater, {Ann M.} and Kies, {Merrill S} and Bita Esmaeli and Frank, {Steven J.} and Jack Phan and Morrison, {William H.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc..",

year = "2016",

month = apr,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1002/hed.24017",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "38",

pages = "E452--E458",

journal = "Head and Neck",

issn = "1043-3074",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck

T2 - Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy

AU - Bishop, Andrew J.

AU - Garden, Adam S.

AU - Gunn, G. Brandon

AU - Rosenthal, David I.

AU - Beadle, Beth Michelle

AU - Fuller, Clifton D.

AU - Levy, Lawrence B.

AU - Gillenwater, Ann M.

AU - Kies, Merrill S

AU - Esmaeli, Bita

AU - Frank, Steven J.

AU - Phan, Jack

AU - Morrison, William H.

PY - 2016/4/1

Y1 - 2016/4/1

N2 - Background The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck using a radiation-based treatment approach. Methods We reviewed records of 106 consecutive patients with MCC of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy (RT) at our institution between 1988 and 2011. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Results The 5-year actuarial local and regional control rates were 96% and 96%, respectively. There were no regional recurrences in 22 patients treated with RT to gross nodal disease without neck dissection. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 76%. Lymphadenopathy at presentation impacted distant metastatic-free survival outcomes (p <.001). Treatment was well tolerated with only 5 patients having grade ≥3 toxicities. Conclusion For MCC of the head and neck, a management strategy that includes RT offers excellent locoregional control. Gross nodal disease can be successfully treated with RT.

AB - Background The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck using a radiation-based treatment approach. Methods We reviewed records of 106 consecutive patients with MCC of the head and neck treated with radiation therapy (RT) at our institution between 1988 and 2011. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate outcomes and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. Results The 5-year actuarial local and regional control rates were 96% and 96%, respectively. There were no regional recurrences in 22 patients treated with RT to gross nodal disease without neck dissection. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 76%. Lymphadenopathy at presentation impacted distant metastatic-free survival outcomes (p <.001). Treatment was well tolerated with only 5 patients having grade ≥3 toxicities. Conclusion For MCC of the head and neck, a management strategy that includes RT offers excellent locoregional control. Gross nodal disease can be successfully treated with RT.

KW - Merkel cell carcinoma

KW - adjuvant therapy

KW - cutaneous neuroendocrine

KW - head and neck

KW - radiotherapy

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ER -

Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Favorable outcomes with radiotherapy

Abstract

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