Merkel cell carcinoma

Meaning of Merkel cell carcinoma: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive skin cancer linked to sun exposure and immune suppression, arising from neuroendocrine skin cells.

Definition of Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that develops from cells with features of both nerve cells and hormone producing cells, located within the skin. It most often forms on skin that has been exposed to significant amounts of sunlight over time, such as the face, head, and neck, though it can occur elsewhere.

Merkel cell carcinoma occurs more often in older adults and in people with a weakened immune system, and it is generally considered more aggressive than the more common forms of skin cancer, with a greater tendency to spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body if not identified and treated promptly.

Because Merkel cell carcinoma can resemble other, less aggressive skin growths in its early appearance, biopsy is typically required to confirm the diagnosis, and its more aggressive behavior compared with typical skin cancers generally influences how closely it is monitored and treated.