Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a less frequent but highly aggressive form of cutaneous malignancy leading to high mortality rate. This article provides clinically relevant information related to MCC. MCC is clinically characterized as a neuroendocrine malignant tumor of the dermis with extreme potential for lymph node metastasis. The size of the tumor falls in the range of 2 – 200 mm (majority are <20 mm). However, the occurrence of MCC is only 0.18 – 0.41 per 100,000.
The disease is highly fatal- the 5-year survival rate is only 18% with stage-IV MCC. Tumor nodule thinness, male sex, an age beyond 60 years, immunocompromised state and other comorbidities lead to poor prognosis. Symptoms The tumor in MCC appears like a bluish-red or flesh-colored nodule with the shiny and smooth surface on external ear, eyelid, face, external nose, head, and neck. Predominantly affecting the aged…
