Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that can be life-threatening. It develops in Merkel cells found in your skin’s outer layer.

Other names for Merkel Cell Carcinoma #

• MCC.

• Merkel cell cancer.

• Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin.

• Trabecular cancer.

Causes of Merkel Cell Carcinoma #

• UV rays from sun exposure or artificial light sources like tanning beds cause most types of skin cancer, including Merkel cell carcinoma.

• UV radiation can damage the genetic makeup, or DNA, of skin cells.

• Eight in 10 people with Merkel cell carcinoma have the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCP).

• But most people infected with MCP don’t develop Merkel cell carcinoma.

• This common childhood virus doesn’t cause symptoms, and there isn’t a way to screen for it.

• Medical experts are still trying to determine how and why the virus causes skin cancer in some people.

Symptoms of Merkel Cell Carcinoma #

The lump may be:

• About the size of a dime and growing quickly.

• Dome shaped or raised.

• Firm.

• Itchy.

• Similar to a pimple (acne) or insect bite.

• Skin colored or red, purple or bluish-red.

• Tender or sore.

Diagnosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma #

• A dermatologist diagnoses and treats skin diseases like Merkel cell carcinoma.

• Seeing a skin cancer specialist is important because other conditions like benign (noncancerous) cysts, infected hair follicles (folliculitis) and styes can look similar to Merkel cell carcinoma.

• Your healthcare provider will perform a full-body skin exam.

• They may feel for swollen lymph nodes, which can indicate infection or potential cancer spread.

• You’ll receive a skin biopsy of the tumor to check for cancer cells.

You may get one or more of these tests to determine the cancer stage of Merkel cell carcinoma:

• CT scan.

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

• Sentinel node biopsy or needle biopsy.

Treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma #

Treatments for Merkel cell carcinoma depend on the cancer stage. Early-stage Merkel cell carcinoma (stages 0 to II ) responds better to treatments than late-stage (stages III and IV) cancers.

Healthcare providers surgically remove Merkel cell carcinoma tumors. Surgical options include:

• Mohs surgery to remove the tumor and skin layers while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

• Wide local excision to remove the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue.

• Lymph node dissection to surgically remove lymph nodes that have metastatic cancer cells.