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Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) – neuroendocrine skin cancer
Affiliations- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute – Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
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Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rarely occurring skin cancer of high malignancy. It develops, most probably, from the neuroendocrine cells (Merkel’s cells). The most frequent location of this cancer is the skin of the head and neck (44–48% of cases), and then in the skin of the upper limbs (about 19% of cases) and then the lower limbs (16–20% of cases). The aetiology of this cancer is unknown, yet some role in its pathogenesis is played by ultraviolet light and immunosuppression. The basis of therapy in cases with locoregional spread is surgical intervention, whilst in more advanced cases, an effective systemic treatment is possible with the use of molecularly targeted therapies. This paper presents the current treatment possibilities in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rarely occurring skin cancer of high malignancy. It develops, most probably, from the neuroendocrine cells (Merkel’s cells). The most frequent location of this cancer is the skin of the head and neck (44–48% of cases), and then in the skin of the upper limbs (about 19% of cases) and then the lower limbs (16–20% of cases). The aetiology of this cancer is unknown, yet some role in its pathogenesis is played by ultraviolet light and immunosuppression. The basis of therapy in cases with locoregional spread is surgical intervention, whilst in more advanced cases, an effective systemic treatment is possible with the use of molecularly targeted therapies. This paper presents the current treatment possibilities in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.
Keywords
Merkel cell carcinoma; diagnostics; surgical treatment; systemic treatment
About this articleTitle
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) – neuroendocrine skin cancer
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Review paper
Pages
111-116
Published online
2019-10-31
Page views
844
Article views/downloads
682
DOI
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2019;69(3-4):111-116.
Keywords
Merkel cell carcinoma
diagnostics
surgical treatment
systemic treatment
Authors
Monika Dudzisz-Śledź
Marcin Zdzienicki
Piotr Rutkowski