Near Missed Diagnosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in a Young Immunocompetent Woman With a Recurrent Left-Arm Mass: A Case Report
April 2023
in “
Authorea (Authorea)
”
TLDR A young woman with a rare skin cancer was diagnosed late because her symptoms were unusual for the disease.
A 32-year-old immunocompetent Iranian woman was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive tumor, after presenting with a small nodule on her left arm. This case is notable because MCC typically affects older individuals with fair skin, a history of skin cancer, chronic immunosuppression, chronic UV exposure, or Merkel cell polyomavirus infection. The tumor is often misidentified as a cyst or abscess due to its appearance as a single, asymptomatic erythematous or violaceous nodule, commonly found on the head or neck rather than the extremities. Diagnosis requires immunohistochemical staining to confirm the presence of small round cells in the cutaneous or subcutaneous area. Despite the rarity of MCC in young, immunocompetent, non-Caucasian individuals, this case underscores the importance of early detection and treatment, as MCC has a high recurrence rate and requires continuous follow-up, particularly within the first year after diagnosis.
