Use of Intraoperative Radioguidance in Recurrent Merkel Carcinoma

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rapidly progressive nonmelanoma skin cancer with a high risk of recurrence. When recurrence occurs, it is associated with poor prognosis and there is a lack of guidelines for the management of such cases. This article describes a challenging case in which the innovative use of iodine-125 radioactive seeds permitted us to precisely identify and resect two nonpalpable recurrent nodules. The safety and accuracy of the surgical procedure were compromised by the presence of scar tissue following two past resections and two courses of radiotherapy. Radioactive seed localization is a well-known procedure in breast cancer, demonstrating potential for an extended application in other cancer types and in complex clinical situations.