Merkel Cell Carcinoma: an Update and Review Part 1. Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Staging

Publication date: Available online 9 December 2017
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Kathleen Coggshall, Tiffany L. Tello, Jeffrey P. North, Siegrid S. Yu
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon primary cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer. It most commonly presents as an indurated plaque or nodule on sun-damaged skin in elderly patients and is characterized by high rates of local recurrence and nodal metastasis. Survival at five years is 51% for local disease and as low as 14% for distant disease, which underscores the aggressive nature of this tumor and challenges in management. Advances in immunology and molecular genetics have broadened our understanding of the pathophysiology of MCC and expanded our therapeutic arsenal. With this comprehensive review, we provide an update of MCC epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and prognostic markers. Part II of this review will explore the evolving landscape in MCC management.

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