Intestinal obstruction due to small intestinal metastasis from primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the gluteal region

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neoplasm of unknown multifactorial origin first described in 1972. It occurs most often in older Caucasian males and is typically associated with sun-exposed areas of skin. However, cases have also been reported in other areas, such as the trunk and the gluteal region. Metastatic disease will occur in up to one-third of cases at onset or during the course of the disease, including metastases to the abdominal organs. We present the case of a 53-year-old male with a history of primary MCC of the right buttock and local resection surgery. Eighteen months later, he presented with a small bowel obstruction and had an emergency segmental bowel resection. Pathology examination with immunohistochemistry concluded that findings were consistent with metastatic MCC.