Eyelid merkel cell carcinoma: report of three cases.

PURPOSE: To present three cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, a primary cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor that arises from Merkel cells, and to describe their clinical features, diagnosis, and management.

METHODS

Case series.

RESULTS

In only one case, the disease was clinically recognized. In the others, the diagnosis was confirmed by histology, and chalazion was initially suspected in one of them. Surgery was performed in all patients, and there was no evidence of metastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The rarity of eyelid Merkel cell carcinoma and the fact that it can simulate benign entities frequently lead to difficulties in diagnosis and a delay in the establishment of suitable therapy.