Postoperative Radiation Therapy Is Indicated for "Low-Risk" Pathologic Stage I Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Region but Not for Other Locations.

Purpose: The role of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) in early stage Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is controversial. We analyzed the role of PORT in preventing local recurrences (LR) among patients with low-risk, pathologic stage I MCC based on the location of the primary tumors: head/neck (HN) versus non-HN sites.

Methods And Materials: One hundred forty-seven patients with MCC were identified that had "low risk" disease (pathologic T1 primary tumor, negative microscopic margins, negative pathologic node status, no immunosuppression or prior systemic therapy).

Increased risk of recurrence and disease-specific death following delayed postoperative radiation for Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is often treated with surgery and postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). The optimal time to initiate PORT (Time-to-PORT [ttPORT]) is unknown.

Purpose: We assessed if delays in ttPORT were associated with inferior outcomes.