Learn More About Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with merkel cell carcinoma, you may want to consider treatment at Florida Dermatology Specialists. With a team of expert dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons, we provide advanced skin cancer treatments to our patients.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Explained
Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare form of skin cancer that is derived from the cell of the same name. Merkel cells are found in the skin and connect to nerve endings, which are responsible for the body’s sense of touch. Today, it is known that the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus is responsible for most cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, but older age and frequent sun exposure are also common risk factors for the disease. Merkel cell carcinoma usually looks like a bump on the skin, usually red or flesh-colored, which is often painless and may mimic the appearance of a basal cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma grows and spreads quickly, and as such, should be treated promptly.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatments
Depending on the stage and severity of merkel cell carcinoma, it can be addressed with a number of treatment options. Some of these include chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy. However, in most cases, surgical excision followed by radiation is the recommended treatment option, as it can fully remove the cancerous cells to prevent further spreading. Most cases of Merkel cell carcinoma should be excised in conjunction with a sentinel lymph node biopsy, and therefore are performed in the operating room. Consultation with surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology colleagues is expected.
