BACKGROUND: @entity3852 is a rare @entity1489 of neuroendocrine origin, which is characterized by a high rate of recurrence, metastatic spread and mortality. Because of its rarity, evidence-based therapeutic regimens are difficult to establish. @entity3852 is known to be both radio- and chemosensitive. @entity137 is a key factor in assessing any regimen, as the @entity1 are usually elderly and likely to have other significant medical problems. @entity1 AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated five @entity1 with metastatic @entity3852 to see if liposomal @entity632 (Caelyx) or Myocet) in combination with radiotherapy exhibited clinical anti-tumoral effects accompanied by acceptable side effects. RESULTS: The outpatient chemotherapy regimen was tolerated without major side effects and produced good response rates. All @entity1 achieved at @entity5 stabilization; four of five had a partial remission. Effects of therapy were usually seen in the first cycle of therapy but the responses were of short duration with an average interval of two months until progression. CONCLUSIONS: As combined radiochemotherapy with liposomal @entity632 is well tolerated even in older @entity1 with other illnesses and can be given on an outpatient basis, it is an attractive option for metastatic @entity3852 . Based on response rate or overall survival, it offers no advantages compared to polychemotherapy.

Therapy of metastasized @entity3852 with liposomal XXXX in combination with radiotherapy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'PATIENTS'] @entity3852 :: ('MESH:D015266', 'Disease') :: ['Merkel cell carcinoma'] @entity632 :: ('MESH:D004317', 'Chemical') :: ['doxorubicin'] @entity137 :: ('MESH:D064420', 'Disease') :: ['Toxicity'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['least tumor'] @entity1489 :: ('MESH:D012878', 'Disease') :: ['skin cancer']
@entity632 :: (MESH:D004317,Chemical) :: ['doxorubicin']
