Merkel cell cancer medical therapy

	Merkel cell cancer Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Merkel Cell Cancer from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Staging
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Merkel cell cancer medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Merkel cell cancer medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo and Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Merkel cell cancer medical therapy
CDC on Merkel cell cancer medical therapy
Merkel cell cancer medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Merkel cell cancer medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Merkel cell cancer
Risk calculators and risk factors for Merkel cell cancer medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [2]

Overview

The predominant therapy for Merkel cell cancer is surgical resection. Adjunctive chemoradiation may also be required in more advanced disease.

Merkel cell cancer that has metastasized may respond, at least partially, to treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Chemotherapy usually does not cure the disease, but it can be effective in shrinking the tumor size if the tumor is either too large to be resectable or is located within in critical or difficult regions.

Adjuvant radiotherapy is effective in reducing the rate of recurrence and increasing the 5-year survival of patients with Merkel Cell cancer.