Different prognosis in cutaneous early‐onset and late‐onset Merkel cell carcinoma: a population‐based retrospective study

• Published in: International journal of dermatology 2024-11, Vol.63 (11), p.1575-1583
• Main Authors: Li, Zhujun, Hu, Bozhi, Kang, Lin, Zeng, Songlu, Xiao, Yiding, Yu, Nanze, Huang, Jiuzuo, Long, Xiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; clinical dermatology; clinicopathological feature; early‐onset; Epidemiology; Lymph nodes; Medical prognosis; Merkel cell carcinoma; Multivariate analysis; Population studies; Prognosis; Radiation therapy; Risk factors; Skin cancer; staging system; Survival
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17297

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive form of skin cancer. However, there is limited research on the clinicopathological features of early‐onset MCC (EOMCC) and the differences between EOMCC and late‐onset MCC (LOMCC). Our objective was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) of EOMCC. Methods Our cohort study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. Data from 1941 patients who were diagnosed with primary cutaneous MCC were included. We then divided the patients with MCC into two groups: those with EOMCC (526 patients) and those with LOMCC (1415 patients). CSS is used as the primary outcome. Results The EOMCC group exhibited trends toward advanced tumor progression, an expanded surgical scope, increased lymph node retrieval, intensified radiotherapy, greater utilization of systemic therapy, and a better prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that LOMCC (HR 3.305 [2.002–5.456], P