EJMCR |

Case Report

Volume: 5 | Issue: 12 | Published: Dec 23, 2021 | Pages: 330 - 333 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report

Authors: Georgina Simpson , Kalliopi Alexandropoulou , Panagiotis Koliou , Izhar Bagwan , Christopher Alexakis

Article Info

Authors

Georgina Simpson

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK

Kalliopi Alexandropoulou

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK

Panagiotis Koliou

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK

Izhar Bagwan

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK

Christopher Alexakis

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK

Publication History

Received: April 15, 2021

Accepted:

Published: December 23, 2021

Abstract

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare skin malignancy of neuroendocrine origin that is highly aggressive and frequently metastasizes. Case Presentation: We present a case of Merkel cell carcinoma in which the patient developed metastatic gastric deposits that led to his admission to the acute medical unit with signs consistent with an upper gastrointestinal bleed. Treatment options in this case were limited to palliative radiotherapy (RT) given the patients multimorbid state. Unfortunately, our patient deteriorated during his admission and passed away. Conclusion: There have been few reports of Merkel cell carcinoma metastasizing to the stomach. In this case, we highlight an immediately life-threatening presentation with upper gastrointestinal bleeding that required prompt endoscopic intervention. The relatively recent initiation of immunotherapy as a management option for this underlying condition introduces a shift in treatment options that were previously limited to RT and chemotherapy.

Keywords: Case report, Merkel cell carcinoma, immunotherapy, metastasis, endoscopy, green

Pubmed Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis. A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report. EJMCR. 2021; 23 (December 2021): 330-333. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

Web Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis. A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report. https://ejmcr.com/articles/1126 [Access: December 25, 2024]. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis. A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report. EJMCR. (2021), [cited December 25, 2024]; 23 (December 2021): 330-333. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

Harvard Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis (2021) A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report. EJMCR, 23 (December 2021): 330-333. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

Chicago Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis. "A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report." 23 (2021), 330-333. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis. "A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report." 23.December 2021 (2021), 330-333. Print. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Georgina Simpson, Kalliopi Alexandropoulou, Panagiotis Koliou, Izhar Bagwan, Christopher Alexakis (2021) A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed: a case report. , 23 (December 2021), 330-333. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1602946910