A rare disease like Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) requires treatment from a team of medical experts who routinely deal with this type of cancer. At the OSUCCC – James, we’ve assembled a team of internationally recognized experts who will partner with you to prevent or find this cancer at the earliest stage to give you the best chance of a full recovery.
What is Merkel cell carcinoma?
Merkel cell carcinoma forms in the skin and it’s a type of neuroendocrine cancer, which develops when the nervous system tells different cells to release hormones into the blood. Specialized Merkel cells are found in the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, and they send touch-related information to the brain.
Around 1,500 cases of MCC are diagnosed in the United States each year, which makes it a rare kind of neuroendocrine cancer, while also classified as a type of skin cancer. It can grow quickly, and it tends to spread to the lymph nodes and into other areas such as the lungs, bones or other organs.
Merkel cell carcinoma tends to be more aggressive and harder to treat than other types of skin cancer. However, the OSUCCC – James has a team of different medical specialists and subspecialists who work together to offer the latest treatment options, including advanced therapies and clinical trials only available here.
Causes of Merkel cell carcinoma
Our cells are the “building blocks” of our bodies. They make up all the structures of our organs and tissues, including our skin. Over time, cells can become cancerous. A key feature of most cancer cells is their ability to rapidly divide and overtake healthy cells. In most cancers, this happens when normal cells mutate or change on their own and are transformed into cancer cells. Unlike healthy cells which simply divide and grow to replace damaged or aging cells, cancerous Merkel cells divide and grow out of control.
Risk factors and Merkel cell carcinoma
Anyone can develop Merkel cell carcinoma, but there are some risk factors that can increase the likelihood of this happening. Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll develop MCC, but talking with your doctor about your risk factors can help.
Sun exposure is the biggest risk factor. MCC is more prevalent in places with a lot of sunshine year-round. It’s usually seen first in areas of the body that are exposed to a lot of sun, like your arms, legs, torso and face. As with other skin cancers, minimizing ultraviolet (UV) rays exposure can reduce your risk of MCC. You can do this by staying indoors during peak sun hours, wearing sunscreen, seeking shade and covering more of your skin with clothing, hats and wraparound sunglasses.
There are other risk factors you cannot control. These include being over age 50, being assigned male at birth and being white, especially with pale skin, light-colored eyes and light-colored hair. Having a suppressed immune system can also raise your risk of MCC. This can be caused by certain drugs, such as those used for autoimmune diseases or post-transplant, or by chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
There is also a virus, known as Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV or MCPyV), which appears in the majority of MCC tumors. Most people are exposed to this virus in childhood, so it’s not a virus you’re likely to avoid. It’s noteworthy that those with MCV-positive tumors generally have better outcomes than those with similar tumors that are MCV-negative.
What does Merkel cell carcinoma look like?
It may be difficult to tell the difference between MCC and other, less dangerous types of skin cancer or benign skin growths simply by looking at them, which is why it’s important to have any changes in your skin checked by a doctor.
MCC most often, but not always, begins in areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, and it usually presents first as a painless, firm bump. It can be red-purple or skin-colored, not dark brown or black like melanoma. Many people say MCC looks unlike any skin growth they’ve had before, and its rapid growth is what prompts their concern.
Why choose the OSUCCC – James for Merkel cell carcinoma care?
The Multidisciplinary Skin Cancer Center at the OSUCCC – James is the only dedicated skin cancer center in central Ohio. Our team of experts includes researchers, specialists and subspecialists from medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, head and neck surgery and Mohs surgery who work together to diagnose and treat Merkel cell carcinoma every day. They’re dedicated to understanding more about MCC and finding the next treatment breakthrough.
In addition, the OSUCCC – James is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center and the third-largest cancer hospital in the nation, so you’ll find the kind of advanced therapies needed to treat a rare cancer like Merkel cell carcinoma right here.
One of the biggest advantages we offer is the potential opportunity to participate in a clinical trial. The OSUCCC – James is funded by the NCI for phase I, phase II and phase III clinical trials, and our cancer program includes more than 300 researchers.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma, or would like a second opinion, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
Related Resources
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Risk Factors and Prevention
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Screening and Diagnosis
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment