Postoperative Radiation Therapy Is Indicated for "Low-Risk" Pathologic Stage I Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Region but Not for Other Locations.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The role of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) in early stage Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is controversial. We analyzed the role of PORT in preventing local recurrences (LR) among patients with low-risk, pathologic stage I MCC based on the location of the primary tumors: head/neck (HN) versus non-HN sites.

Methods and materials

One hundred forty-seven patients with MCC were identified that had "low risk" disease (pathologic T1 primary tumor, negative microscopic margins, negative pathologic node status, no immunosuppression or prior systemic therapy). LR was defined as tumor recurrence within 2 cm of the primary surgical bed, and its frequency was estimated with the cumulative incidence method.

Results

Seventy-nine patients received PORT (30 HN, 49 non-HN)

SUBMITTER: Bierma MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10767274 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature