Advanced neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell carcinoma) of the vulva: a case report and literature review
Keywords:
Merkel cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, vulva, vulval carcinoma, vulvar carcinoma
Abstract
Neuroendocrine carcinomas (Merkel cell carcinomas) of the vulva are extremely rare tumours, with very few cases reported to date. Herein, a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell carcinoma) of the vulva is reported. A 34-year-old HIV-positive female on antiretroviral therapy presented with a four-month history of a right-sided vulval mass. She underwent surgical excision of a histologically confirmed neuroendocrine carcinoma. Twenty-four weeks after surgery, she died. This case illustrates the importance of a broad differential diagnosis for neoplasms in the usual sites, and the aggressive nature of this tumour, which to date has had limited effective treatment options.
Published
2020-12-15
Issue
Section
Case Studies
By submitting manuscripts to SAJGO, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to the South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAJGO for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.