Recurrent Merkel cell carcinoma of the testis with unknown primary site: a case report

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy that often arises in sun-exposed skin and predominantly affects the elderly. The mean ages at diagnosis are 76 years for women and 74 years for men [1]. Immunosuppression caused by solid organ transplant, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancies is associated with an increased risk of MCC [2‐4]. Although originally thought to arise from Merkel cells in the skin, it has been suggested that MCC may instead originate from skin stem cells or pro-/pre- and pre-B cells [5, 6]. Merkel cell polyoma virus (MCPyV), a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus, has been linked to the development of MCC [7] and may have a role to play in the transformation of pro-/pre- and pre-B cells into MCC.

MCC more commonly occurs in the skin of the head and neck, followed by the upper limbs and shoulders. It is uncommon for MCC to have an unknown primary site [1]. MCC metastasizing to the testis is rare. To date, there are seven cases of testicular MCC published in the literature [8‐13]. Clinical details of all cases are summarized in Additional file 1: Table S1.

A 66-year-old Maori man presented to our hospital with a history of an enlarged left testicle of 10 weeks’ duration. His clinical examination revealed nontender swelling of the left testicle. His alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) levels were within normal limits. His lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration was mildly elevated at 267 U/L (normal range 120–250 U/L). Ultrasonography of his testes demonstrated an enlarged left testicle measuring 7 × 5.5 × 4.3 cm with an estimated volume of 87 ml. A large, heterogeneous mass involved the entire testicle with increased vascularity (Fig. 1). The patient’s right testicle measured 3.7 × 2.5 × 1.8 cm with an estimated volume of 8.8 ml. He underwent left orchiectomy. The macroscopic specimen consisted of well-circumscribed nodular lesions of varying sizes, with the largest measuring 45 × 15 mm and containing solid and gelatinous components (Fig. 2). Sections of the specimen showed tumor composed of sheets of small, blue, round cells divided into nodules by fibrous septae (Fig. 3). Immunostaining showed the tumor to be cytokeratin 20 (CK20)-positive with a typical paranuclear dotlike staining pattern (Fig. 4). The stain showed a positive result for CD56, a neuroendocrine marker (Fig. 5), as were CD117 and CK (paranuclear dots). The result was negative for CK7, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), CD30, CD20, AFP, S100, SOX10, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), chromogranin, and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1). The Ki-67 level was >50 %. This immunostaining pattern raised the possibility of metastatic MCC.

The patient presented again to our hospital 3 months later this time with a right testicular mass. Tumor markers, including LDH, AFP, and BHCG, were within normal limits. Ultrasonographic imaging demonstrated a new lesion in the right testis measuring 3 × 2.6 × 2.3 cm. He underwent a right orchiectomy, and sections of the specimen showed diffuse infiltration of small, blue, round cells. Immunostains were positive for CD117, CD56, synaptophysin, CK20 (dotlike), and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (dotlike). The tumor cells were negative for inhibin, PLAP, PSA, S100, CD30, CD45, CD3, CD20, TTF-1, and napsin A. The Ki-67 level was 80 %. This pattern was consistent with a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor in keeping with metastatic MCC. Detailed histology reports can be found in Additional files 2 and 3. A primary site was not identified, and a staging computed tomographic scan did not show evidence of other metastases. The patient received six cycles of adjuvant carboplatin and etoposide chemotherapy. He remained disease-free 18 months following completion of chemotherapy.

It has been suggested that the testes are a sanctuary site for Merkel cell tumors. It is thought that the occurrence of MCC metastases in the testes soon after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy could be due to the presence of a blood-testis barrier that prevents the eradication of tumor cells with chemotherapy agents, thus making the testes a sanctuary site [12]. There are also reports of isolated testicular recurrences in hematological malignancies, suggesting that the testes are a sanctuary site [14, 15]. However, in a retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic germ cell tumors treated with primary chemotherapy, 43 % had no viable tumor in the testes following delayed orchiectomy, showing that adequate concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents can be achieved despite the presence of a blood-testis barrier [16]. It is interesting to note that our patient developed testicular MCC in both testes, with an unknown primary site. It is possible that the primary tumor was eradicated through immunological surveillance, whereas the blood-testis barrier allowed tumor cells in the testes to escape this and to proliferate. Another possibility is that the primary and metastatic disease were heterogeneous and had different properties.

Immunohistochemical analysis helps to differentiate testicular MCC from other malignancies such as metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung, small cell phenotype melanoma, and lymphoma. Paranuclear dot positivity for CK20 and CAM5.2 is a typical feature of MCC [17]. MCC is also positive for CK AE1/AE3 and neuroendocrine markers, synaptophysin, and chromogranin. Positive CK20 and negative TTF-1 and CK7 distinguish the tumor cells from small cell lung carcinoma [18]. Positive staining for S100, HMB-45, and Melan-A is characteristic of melanoma. Negative leukocyte common antigen (CD45) differentiates MCC from lymphoma.

Treatment of early stage MCC is with surgical resection with 1- to 2-cm margins and sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy if there is no clinical evidence of regional lymph node involvement. Radical lymphadenectomy is recommended if the regional lymph nodes are involved [19]. Alternatively, definitive lymph node irradiation can be performed because this has been shown to have efficacy similar to completion lymphadenectomy, with no difference in overall survival [20]. In a retrospective analysis of 6908 patients with MCC, adjuvant radiation to the resection site was associated with improved overall survival for stage I-II MCC, whereas adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve overall survival for stage III MCC [21]. In another population study of 4815 patients with head and neck MCC, adjuvant chemoradiation and radiation therapy conferred better overall survival than surgery alone. A survival benefit was also demonstrated in the adjuvant chemoradiation group compared with the adjuvant radiotherapy group in patients with tumor sizes of at least 3 cm, positive margins, and male sex [22].

Chemotherapy regimens for metastatic MCC are often similar to the ones used for high-grade neuroendocrine cancers and small cell cancers, with a number of agents showing activity, including combinations of cisplatin, carboplatin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, bleomycin, and 5-fluorouracil. MCC is regarded as chemotherapy-sensitive, but the duration of response is short. In one series, the response rates to chemotherapy were 57 % for metastatic MCC and 69 % for locally advanced MCC, with median overall survival of 9 months and 24 months, respectively [23]. The main predictor of survival in MCC is tumor stage at the time of diagnosis. Male sex and tumor size greater than 2 cm are unfavorable factors [1]. It has been suggested that low tumor depth, absence of lymphovascular invasion, a nodular growth pattern, and intratumoral lymphocyte infiltration are associated with a lower risk of death [24, 25]. It has also been noted that patients with MCPyV DNA-positive tumors have a favorable prognosis compared with those with MCPyV DNA-negative tumors [26].

We present a rare case of a patient with testicular MCC occurring twice with an occult primary tumor. Although a treatment guideline for MCC has been proposed [19], there is no guidance on how to manage testicular MCC. Current treatment is individualized and depends on the extent of disease at the time of diagnosis. Orchiectomy is the initial management modality if the disease is localized to the testes, but the role of adjuvant therapy is yet to be determined.