Stereotactic Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Merkel cell carcinoma brain metastases: case report and systematic review of literature.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin malignancy with an increasing incidence. Although it frequently presents with loco-regional metastases, brain metastases (BMs) are exceptionally rare, lacking standardized treatment protocols.

Case description

This report details the case of a 75-year-old male diagnosed with MCC following surgical excision of an inguinal mass, with subsequent adjuvant radiotherapy. Four months post-surgery, imaging revealed a pancreatic nodule and two cerebral lesions. The patient underwent Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery (GK-SRS) followed by adjuvant immunotherapy with avelumab. MRI follow-ups showed a significant reduction of the cerebellar lesion and full remission of the frontal lesion, with stab

SUBMITTER: Vatavu O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12451376 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature