Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35764912›Full record

ReviewClinical journal of gastroenterology2022

Merkel cell carcinoma of the anorectum: a case report and review of the literature.

Abraham C van Wyk, Zaheer Moolla, Ahmed I Motala, Riyaadh Roberts, Nivesh A Chotey, Hoosen I Lakhi, Jürgen C Becker

Abstract readCase ReportsReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical journal of gastroenterology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 41% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Abraham C van WykDivision of Anatomical Pathology, Stellenbosch University and National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa. avw@sun.ac.za.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0946-2434
Zaheer MoollaDepartment of Surgery, Addington Hospital, Durban, South Africa.
Ahmed I MotalaDr Ahmed Ismail Motala Incorporated, Durban, South Africa.
Riyaadh RobertsDivision of Anatomical Pathology, University of Cape Town and National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa.
Nivesh A ChoteyDepartment of Anatomical Pathology, Lancet Laboratories, Durban, South Africa.
Hoosen I LakhiDepartment of Radiology, Dr Weddeburn-Maxwell and Partners, Netcare Umhlanga Hospital, Umhlanga, South Africa.
Jürgen C BeckerTranslational Skin Cancer Research, Department of Dermatology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9183-653X
National Health Laboratory Service · ZAAddington Hospital · ZAGerman Cancer Research Center · DELancet Laboratories · ZA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma that most commonly arises in sun-exposed skin. Established risk factors include advanced age, fair skin, chronic ultraviolet light exposure and immunosuppression. Merkel cell polyomavirus infection is implicated in a subset of cases. Primary extracutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma is exceedingly rare. We report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the anorectum in a 44-year-old woman of Indian descent with no apparent risk factors. She presented with rectal bleeding and worsening perineal discomfort. A polypoid tumor was identified in the anal canal. No cutaneous lesions were detected. Histopathology revealed a small round blue cell tumor with neuroendocrine features. Immunohistochemistry for CK20, synaptophysin, CD56, neurofilament and SATB2 were positive while CK7, CDX2 and TTF1 were negative. Polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were negative for Merkel cell polyomavirus. Merkel cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a high grade neuroendocrine carcinoma at an unusual site such as the anorectum in this case. Correct diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma at an extracutaneous site is crucial because it should prompt careful evaluation for a skin primary and it may make the patient eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Merkel CellCarcinoma, NeuroendocrineMerkel cell polyomavirusSkin NeoplasmsAdultFemaleHumansImmunohistochemistryAnal canalAnusImmunohistochemistryMerkel cell carcinomaRectum

Identifiers

PMID35764912
OpenAlexW4283698700

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.