Merkel cell cancer (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare and highly aggressive skin cancer. Merkel cell carcinoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. When merkel cell carcinoma spreads to the lymph nodes, the average 5-year survival rate for a patient with merkel cell carcinoma is less than 50 percent. Recurrence may occur in up to half of all the patients with merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell cancer usually occurs on either the face, head, or neck. Patients with merkel cell carcinoma usually present with a rapid growing, firm, painless, red/violaceous skin lesion. Merkel cell carcinoma usually metastasizes first to regional lymph nodes and then to other organs, and spreads to other parts of the body, especially the liver, lungs, brain and bones. The predominant therapy for merkel cell carcinoma is surgical resection, but chemoradiation may also be required in more advanced disease.

Rapid growing, painless and small mass that typically located on a sun exposed area of the body

Common causes of merkel cell carcinoma include:

when patients experience the following:

Merkel cell cancer is a highly aggressive tumor with a mortality rate that approaches 30% to 40% within 3 years of diagnosis
If diagnosed early, merkel cell carcinoma has a good prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 90%