Pain and Wound Management in Fungating Merkel Cell Carcinoma within a Palliative Setting: The First Case Report of this Predicament

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer of the neuroendocrine Merkel mechanoreceptors. These cells are closely associated with nerve terminals and, given their proximity to cutaneous tissue, have the propensity to develop into deeply ulcerated, fungating malignancies. These friable wounds are easily irritated, and can cause significant pain for patients. We report a palliative case of severe, fungating MCC of the left scalp where the main contributor to the patient’s illness burden is pain. Having been referred to palliative care by the Tissue Viability team, this 90-year-old gentleman was complaining of episodic burning pain during dressing changes, which was associated with radiation to the forehead, nausea, and significant trait anxiety. It was theorised that this pain could be in part due to tension headache, not just nociception, and anticipatory lorazepam was prescribed to relieve trait anxiety. All symptoms were majorly relieved following this administration. A specialist dressing was implemented to absorb exudate and balance moisture, which we believe may have stopped further deterioration of pain. Overall, this report emphasises the need to consider alternative pain aetiologies other than nociception in a presentation that is not found in the literature.