How Does Merkel Cell Carcinoma Spread

The first place Merkel cell carcinoma spreads from the skin is to the lymph nodes. Merkel cell carcinoma occurs when these cells grow out of control.

Learning The Signs And Symptoms Of Merkel Cell Cancer Pfpfizeruscom

If the case is benign then the prognosis is good and the survival rate of the patient is also higher.

How does merkel cell carcinoma spread. If these cancer cells become malignant and spread to other parts of the body then it is severe and the survival rate of the patient. A higher number like stage IV means cancer has spread more. Merkel cells are a type of neuroendocrine cell.

In stage IIA the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. The prognosis of Merkel cell carcinoma is dependent on the age and severity of the condition of the patient.

Stage II Merkel cell carcinoma is divided into stages IIA and IIB. The cancer has grown deep spreading to one or more nearby lymph nodes or nearby tissue. This means that it can rapidly spread metastasize to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes brain and lungs.

Also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin or trabecular cancer Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare type of skin cancer that forms when Merkel cells grow out of control. Risk factors for MCC include sun exposure fair skin age over 50 and a weakened immune system. If you had other skin cancers such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma you have more risk of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma MCC is 40 times more rare than melanoma with an estimated one case per 130000 people in the US. Larger MCC tumors are associated with moderately higher risk of recurrence and spread to lymph nodes but even a very small MCC tumor under 05 cm still has at least a 15 chance of already having spread to nearby lymph nodes. The earliest stage Merkel cell cancers are called stage 0 or carcinoma in situ and then range from stages I 1 through IV 4.

Merkel cell carcinoma is considered an aggressive type of cancer. The lesion should be completely removed with a clear margin of at least 2cm to remove the Merkel cell carcinoma completely. In stage IIB the tumor has spread to nearby connective tissue muscle cartilage or bone.

However within a few months or even weeks the tumors grow more deeply into the skin and can start to spread or metastasize. This allows cancer cells to further travel to other parts of the body quite rapidly. Since MCC often quickly spreads to nearby lymph nodes the nodes are checked once a diagnosis is confirmed.

The main treatment modality is surgical resection of the primary lesion. The duration takes for complete recovery deepens on the grade and stage of Merkel cell carcinoma MCC and the effectiveness of treatment. It can be hard to treat if it spreads beyond the skin.

Merkel cell carcinoma is most frequently diagnosed after a patient notices skin changes and visits the doctor where a biopsy and other tests including imaging tests and blood tests are conducted. The tumors first develop in the Merkel cells of the skin and form small bumps on the skin. Merkel cell carcinoma tends to grow quickly and to metastasize spread at an early stage.

If the disease has spread to a lymph node it may feel enlarged. What are the stages of Merkel cell carcinoma. MCC can sometimes travel to the lungs liver brain or bone and grow there.

Cancerous cells may invade surrounding tissues and may spread to other regions of the body via blood and the lymphatic system. The disease starts most often in areas of skin exposed to the sun especially the head and neck as well as. Stage 4 The cancer has spread to a distant lymph node or other distant organ.

From the lymph nodes it can. Merkel cell carcinoma can be dangerous because it tends to grow quickly. Recurrence refers to whether the cancer ever comes back see the Recurrence page to learn more and MCC specific survival refers to the likelihood of not dying from the cancer.

For example if Merkel cell carcinoma began on your scalp it may have spread to the lungs. However cancer could still be present even if it is not outwardly noticeable. As a rule the lower the number the less the cancer has spread.

Merkel cells found in the top layer of the skin are very close to the nerve endings that receive the sensation of touch. When cancer cells do this its called metastasisTo doctors the cancer cells in the new place look just like the MCC cells in your skin. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet UV light.

Merkel cell carcinoma may spread to. History of other skin cancers. Your risk of Merkel cell carcinoma increases if you are exposed to ultraviolet UV light from sun or tanning beds for a long time.

Like melanoma another aggressive type of skin cancer Merkel cell carcinoma can grow rapidly over a few weeks or months and can metastasize spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Among 5722 cases the average Merkel cell carcinoma was 17 cm in diameter a US dime is also 17 cm in diameter. It usually spreads first to nearby lymph nodes and then may spread to lymph nodes or skin in distant parts of the body lungs brain bones or other organs.

Merkle Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer And Reconstructive Surgery Center

Merkel Cell Carcinoma The Skin Cancer Foundation