[Clinical and morphological features of Merkel's carcinoma in elderly patients (literature review).].

Merkels cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin tumor with a high rate of recurrence and local metastasis. The average age at which MCC is diagnosed is 75 years. The identification of the role of somatic mutations and DNA repair in aging mechanisms raises the question of their direct connection with the processes of differentiation, age-related characteristics of the immune system, programmed cell death and malignant growth. In this regard, there remains a need for research aimed at improving the early diagnosis and pathogenetic treatment of elderly patients.