Merkel cell cancer natural history

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

Overview

Merkel cell cancer is an aggressive skin tumor that grows rapidly. It usually metastasizes first to regional lymph nodes and then to other distant organs. and spreads to other parts of the body, especially the liver, lungs, brain and bones. Merkel cell carcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor with a mortality rate that approaches 30% to 40% within 3 years of diagnosis. If diagnosed early, Merkel cell cancer has a good prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 90%.

Natural History

• Merkel cell cancer is an aggressive skin tumor that grows rapidly.
• It usually metastasizes first to regional lymph nodes and then to other distant organs. and spreads to other parts of the body, especially the liver, lungs, brain and bones.

Prognosis

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

• Stage at diagnosis (most potent prognostic factor)
• Cancer location
• Cancer depth
• Primary vs. recurrent