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Merkel cell carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule, often on the face, head or neck
Prevalence
1-9 / 100 000
Age of Onset
ICD-10
C44.3
C44.6
C44.7
Inheritance
This condition does not appear to have a clear pattern of inheritance.
5 Facts you should know
FACT
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) usually presents as a firm nodule (up to 2 cm diameter) or mass (>2 cm diameter)
FACT
They are flesh-colored, red, or blue tumors typically, vary in size from 0.5 - 5 cm in diameter - and often enlarge rapidly
FACT
Although MCC may arise almost anywhere on the body, it is most commonly found in sun-exposed areas such as the head, neck, or extremities
FACT
Merkel-cell cancers tend to invade locally, infiltrating the underlying subcutaneous fat, fascia, and muscle, and typically metastasize early in their natural history
FACT
It is more common in people over 60 years old, Caucasian people, and males
Interest over time
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Common signs & symptoms
Merkel cell skin cancer
Cellular immunodeficiency
Chronic noninfectious lymphadenopathy
Cutaneous photosensitivity
Erythematous macule
Erythematous plaque
Regional abnormality of skin
Skin nodule
Current treatments
FDA-Approved Treatments—The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products.
Avelumab
(Brand name: Bavencio) Manufactured by EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Inc.
FDA-approved indication: Treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.
National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal
Pembrolizumab
(Brand name: Keytruda) Manufactured by Merck, Sharp, and Dohme Corp.
FDA-approved indication: December 2018, pembrolizumab (Keytruda) was approved for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.
National Library of Medicine Drug Information Portal
Medline Plus Health Information