Merkel cell carcinoma of the oesophagus

Merkel cells have been reported in the oesophagus. An abstract reports two possible cases of primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the oesophagus among the 14 small cell carcinomas of the oesophagus investigated.

CD56

neurofilament (2F11)

CK20

10/14

0/14

2/14 (dot-like)

I doubt that this is a useful extension of the concept of Merkel cell carcinoma - these are probably just CK20 positive small cell carcinomas of ther oesophagus.

References

A Robson et al. Primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland January 2001, abstract 92.