{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,26]],"date-time":"2026-08-26T07:22:13Z","timestamp":1787728933193,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":20,"publisher":"Mattioli1885","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: There are few studies on the pattern of distant spread of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Objectives: We aimed to analyze the most frequent locations of distant metastases from MCC and their possible relationship with the location of the primary tumor. Methods: Patients diagnosed with cutaneous MCC between 1988 and 2022 were included in the study. The locations of the first metastasis detected were recorded, both at tumor diagnosis and during follow-up after initial treatment. Results: In 100 diagnosed with MCC, distant metastases were detected in 31 patients (7 at diagnosis and 24 during follow-up), with a total of 52 locations: 17 non-regional lymph node metastases, 10 bone, 7 liver, 6 lung, 4 non-regional cutaneous\/subcutaneous, 3 pancreatic, 2 adrenal, 2 pharyngeal, and 1 mammary. No patients developed metastasis to the central nervous system (CNS). Recurrences occurred in 84% of patients before 2 years of follow-up. Although differences were not significant, MCCs located in the extremities tended to metastasize to extra-regional lymph nodes and those in the head and neck to bone, liver, and lung. Conclusions: MCC produces metastases mainly in non-regional lymph nodes, bone, liver, and lung. Given its high frequency (one-third of patients), we consider it advisable to perform scheduled imaging tests during the first 2 years of follow-up. Specific imaging tests for CNS could be reserved for patients with neurological symptoms.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.5826\/dpc.1503a5134","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]],"date-time":"2025-07-31T13:49:43Z","timestamp":1753969783000},"page":"5134","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Distant Metastasis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Descriptive Study"],"prefix":"10.5826","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Clara","family":"Muntaner-Virgili","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Dermatology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"J\u00falia","family":"Boronat-Cucarull","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dermatology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Josep Ramon","family":"Ferreres","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dermatology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marta","family":"Gamissans","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dermatology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joaquim","family":"Marcoval","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dermatology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Davinia","family":"Fern\u00e1ndez-Calvo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pathology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rosa Mar\u00eda","family":"Pen\u00edn","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pathology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Josep","family":"Bermejo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Plastic Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lia","family":"Huesa-Barcel\u00f3","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Plastic Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sergio","family":"Manzano-Mora","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Plastic Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eric","family":"Ruzafa-Mart\u00ednez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Plastic Surgery, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mar\u00eda Teresa","family":"Baj\u00e9n-L\u00e1zaro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ana","family":"Ben\u00edtez-Segura","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Paula Cecilia","family":"Notta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nuclear Medicine, Positron Emission Tomography Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Jim\u00e9nez-Colomo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical Oncology, Institut Catal\u00e0 d'Oncologia, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Juan","family":"Mart\u00edn-Liberal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical Oncology, Institut Catal\u00e0 d'Oncologia, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Pablo","family":"Araguas-Mora","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Radiation Oncology Institut Catal\u00e0 d'Oncologia, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marc","family":"Ju\u00e1rez-Lozano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Radiation Oncology Institut Catal\u00e0 d'Oncologia, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Isabel","family":"Linares-Galiana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Radiation Oncology Institut Catal\u00e0 d'Oncologia, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"27750","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"10.5826\/dpc.1503a5134_ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Toker C. 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