Recent Insights and Advances in the Management of Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy with a propensity for recurrence and a poor prognosis. Incidence of MCC is on the rise and is known to increase with advanced age, immunosuppression, and UV exposure. Merkel cell polyomavirus is implicated in the pathogenesis of virus-positive MCC and accounts for 80% of MCCs in the northern hemisphere and 25% in southern latitudes.

Outcomes of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with parotid metastases.

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cHNSCC) metastatic to the parotid has a moderate risk of recurrence despite multimodality treatment. Immunosuppression is associated with lower rates of long-term cure. Our aim was to review outcomes of current management in a tertiary centre with a view to targeting future strategies.

p16-positive lymph node metastases from cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: No association with high-risk human papillomavirus or prognosis and implications for the workup of the unknown primary.

Background: The incidence of p16 overexpression and the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (cHNSCC) are unclear.

Methods: One hundred forty-three patients with cHNSCC lymph node metastases involving the parotid gland were evaluated for p16 expression by immunohistochemistry. The detection of 18 high-risk HPV subtypes was performed with HPV RNA in situ hybridization for a subset of 59 patients.

Salivary duct carcinoma: Treatment, outcomes, and patterns of failure.

Background: Salivary duct carcinoma is rare, with distinct morphology and behavior. We reviewed our institutional experience with salivary duct carcinoma, aiming to characterize clinical behavior and treatment outcomes.

Methods: All salivary duct carcinomas treated curatively between 1999 and 2010 were reviewed.