Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Reiter, M.
Effect of Patient, Tumor, and Treatment Variables on Outcome in a Cohort of Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma - Retrospective Study.
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2020. pp. 69
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Rainer Barbara
- Zalaudek Iris
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer with high rates of recurrence and mortality. Known risk factors include ultraviolet radiation, immu-nosuppression, and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). However, knowledge concerning pathophysiology and clinical behavior is lacking. Especially identifying prognostic factors to potentially improve MCC outcomes is of utmost importance. Material and Methods This retrospective study involved a cohort of 89 patients diagnosed with MCC between 1992 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed concerning host-, tumor-, diagnostic- and treatment variables. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to summarize characteristics and demonstrate associations with disease recurrence, overall survival and MCC-specific death. Results Among 89 patients with MCC, we observed several statistically significant associations. Sex (p = 0.009), tumor extent at time of diagnosis (p = 0.045) and initial treatment modality (p = 0.026) were associated with disease recurrence. Chemotherapy (p = 0.048) was further associated with a higher risk of recurrence. Initial treatment modality and pathologic nodal evaluation results (p = 0.045), were associated with overall survival. Age (p = 0.027), disease recurrence (p = 0.001), 1 to 6 months (p = 0.039) and 7 to 12 months (p = 0.003) to recurrence were associated with reduced overall survival. Musculoskeletal disease (p = 0.04) and radiotherapy (p = 0.005) were associated with improved overall survival. Tumor extent at time of diagnosis (p = 0.031) was further associated with MCC-specific death. Age (p = 0.031) and disease recurrence (p = <0.001) were associated with a higher risk of MCC-specific death. Conclusion MCC outcome was associated with sex, age, musculoskeletal disease, tumor ex¬tent, pathologic nodal evaluation results, initial treatment modality, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These findings may help to assess risk and prognostic factors for MCC and may assist with clinical decisions concerning diagnostic or therapeutic management. Nonetheless, further studies with larger study populations may be useful to examine the statistical relevance of these findings.