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BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin cancer with poor 5-year survival rates. Surgery and radiation are the current first-line treatments for local and nodal disease. OBJECTIVES: The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology developed this document aiming to guide the surgical oncology role in multimodal MCC management. METHODS: The consensus was established in three rounds of online discussion, achieving consensus on specific topics including diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up. RESULTS: Patients suspected of having MCC should undergo immunohistochemical examination and preferably undergo pathology review by a dermatopathologist. Initial staging should be performed with dermatologic and nodal physical examination, combined with complementary imaging. Whole-body imaging, preferably with positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT) scans, are recommended. Due to the need for multidisciplinary approaches, we recommend that all cases should be discussed in tumor boards and referred to other specialties as soon as possible, reducing potential treatment delays. We recommend that all patients with clinical stage I or II may undergo local excision associated with sentinel lymph node biopsy. The decision on margin size should consider time to recovery, patient's comorbidities, and risk factors. Patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes or the presence of risk factors should undergo postoperative radiation therapy at the primary site. Exclusive radiation is a viable option for patients with low performance. Patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy should undergo nodal radiation therapy or lymphadenectomy. In patients with nodal clinical disease, in addition to primary tumor treatment, nodal radiation therapy and/or lymphadenectomy are recommended. Patients with advanced disease should preferably be enrolled in clinical trials and discussed in multidisciplinary meetings. The role of surgery and radiation therapy in the metastatic/advanced setting should be discussed individually and always in tumor boards. CONCLUSION: This document aims to standardize a protocol for initial assessment and treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, optimizing oncologic outcomes in middle-income countries such as Brazil.

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Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare neoplasm affecting approximately 1/100,000 people. The prognosis is poor and potential curative intent occurs through challenging operations, such as vena cava resection, occasionally multivisceral when required, and vascular reconstruction. There are few retrospective series regarding this retroperitoneal neoplasm, and the aim of the present study was to discuss the experience at the São Paulo Cancer Institute and Clinics Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. The current study is a retrospective review of 7 patients treated in the two tertiary hospitals between 2005 and 2013. Oncological and operative aspects were discussed, primarily regarding surgical aspects highlighting en bloc resection, vascular reconstruction, and the overall survival and recurrence rates. All the patients were treated with radical intent, 4 of whom underwent multivisceral resection, with the kidney being the most resected organ. The location of the IVC tumor was described using Kulaylat's description and the median tumor size was 10 cm. Vascular reconstruction was necessary in 4 patients. The overall survival rate at 3 and 5 years was 100, and 25%, respectively. The disease-free survival rate at 3 and 5 years was 57 and 20%, respectively. In conclusion, IVC LMS is a rare and severe retroperitoneal neoplasm, with multivisceral resections remaining a surgical challenge. The treatment requires numerous experienced surgeons and the impact of microscopic free margins remains unclear. Vascular reconstruction depends on several aspects regarding primarily the topography of the tumor.