Merkel cells in extraocular sebaceous carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Mature sebaceous glands do not contain Merkel cells. Neither do sebaceous tumors in the vast majority of cases. Recently, however, it was demonstrated that rare sebaceous adenomas with a carcinoid-like or labyrinthine pattern can contain intratumoral Merkel cells. Our purpose in this study is to examine for the presence of Merkel cells in extraocular sebaceous carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen cases of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma were retrospectively studied with cytokeratin (CK) 20.

RESULTS: One out of 19 cases (5.3%) contained Merkel cells in the basal layers of the tumoral nests of a sebaceous carcinoma from the cheek of a 76-year-old woman.

CONCLUSIONS: Merkel cells are rarely evident in extraocular sebaceous carcinoma and therefore, their evidence does not exclude this diagnosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.