Keywords: Merkel cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, vulva, vulval carcinoma, vulvar carcinoma

Abstract

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (Merkel cell carcinomas) of the vulva are extremely rare tumours, with very few cases reported to date. Herein, a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell carcinoma) of the vulva is reported. A 34-year-old HIV-positive female on antiretroviral therapy presented with a four-month history of a right-sided vulval mass. She underwent surgical excision of a histologically confirmed neuroendocrine carcinoma. Twenty-four weeks after surgery, she died. This case illustrates the importance of a broad differential diagnosis for neoplasms in the usual sites, and the aggressive nature of this tumour, which to date has had limited effective treatment options.

Author Biographies

A R Botha, University of the Witwatersrand

 Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa

L Mbodi, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa

R Wadee, University of the Witwatersrand

Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa

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