Case Report

Primary Nodal Neuroendocrine (Merkel Cell) Tumor in a Patient With HIV Infection

Authors: PADMARAJ SAMARENDRA, MD, MRCP, LEONARD BERKOWITZ, MD, SARITA KUMARI, MD, RICHARD ALEXIS, MD

Abstract

ABSTRACT: &NA; Lymphadenopathy in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be of diverse etiology, ranging from infection to cancer. A neoplasm of epithelial origin manifested as inguinal lymphadenopathy without a primary lesion is rare. We report a case of Merkel cell tumor confined only to a lymph node in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We believe this is the first report of primary nodal Merkel cell tumor in a patient with HIV. Because Merkel cell tumor is a rare skin neoplasm with features suggestive of high malignant potential, it is important to distinguish a primary nodal Merkel cell tumor from malignant metastatic processes on the one hand and relatively benign causes of adenopathy on the other.

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References