Facts on Merkel Cell Carcinoma

1. Trouble Beneath the Skin

Most often misspelled Merkle cell carcinoma (MCC), this is the most aggressive of the three types of skin cancers. Named after the German anatomist and pathologist Friedrich Sigmund Merkel, who discovered these "touch" cells in 1875, this uncommon form of cancer is found just beneath the skin, as well as in hair follicles (unlike basal and squamous cell carcinomas, which attack the top layer of the skin, and melanoma, which starts in the skin and spreads to other parts of the body). MCC usually affects whites between 60 and 80 years old, though cases of patients much younger and older have been seen.

2. Be Concerned About Any Changes in Your Skin

You run your hand across the back of your neck and feel a small lump. You find that it is shiny and firm. This is usually one of the first visible signs of MCC, which generally forms in areas of the skin that are usually exposed to the sun: the head, face and neck. Tumors are usually between a quarter-inch and two inches in diameter and can be pink, red or blue. Many people might consider ignoring such a lump, as it is painless, but any spots or lumps that appear on the skin should be brought to the attention of a physician immediately.

3. Getting Tan Is Just Not Worth It

We all love a nice, relaxing day at the beach, lying in the sun with a good book or taking a nap. However, the dangers of overexposure to the sun are well known and documented. Though no cause of MCC has firmly been established, like most skin cancers exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun are believed to contribute to the formation of this cancer. It's always a good idea to cover any sun-exposed skin with a combination sunscreen and sun block with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

4. When Merkel Cell Carcinoma Hits, Hit Back

Despite its aggressive nature, there is treatment for MCC if the disease is found in its early stages. In stage I, MCC is contained to the skin; in stage II, it has metastasized (spread) to the lymph nodes; in stage III, other parts of the body are affected. In stage I, removal of tumors are performed by a dermatologist, with radiation therapy following. Further tests should be conducted by an oncologist to assure that the tumor has not spread to other tissues or organs. Lymph nodes are removed in stage II MCC, and chemotherapy is used to fight the disease in its third stage.

5. A Grim Outlook

The biggest challenge of MCC is how fast it spreads. Once it starts to metastasize, it grows very rapidly. When the lymph nodes are affected, the disease spreads to other vital organs, most usually in this order: liver, bone, brain and lung. Typically, the chances for survival plunge once the disease has spread. Half of patients survive two years from time of diagnosis; the average span is eight months.