What is Merkel cell cancer?
Merkel cell (MCC) carcinoma is an aggressive and rare form of skin cancer. This health is also known under other names such as neuroendocrine carcinoma and trabecular skin carcinoma. Patients with Merkel cell cancer usually experience tumor growth in Merkel cells. Merkel cells are neuroendocrine cells inside the upper layer of the skin and are located near the nerves that are responsible for the transmission of the touch feeling. Merkel cells often grow uncontrolled in cases of MCC. Merkel cell cancer can begin with changes in existing mole or new skin growth and can have a cyst similar to appearance. The growths are usually less than three -quarters of the inch (about 2 cm) size, painless and solid to the touch. Common places for these carcinomas include head, neck and face.
exposure to the skin to natural sunlight, light Fopting beds of ROM and other artificial lighting can in many cases increase the risk of person from developing Merkel cell carcinoma. People with a history of other rSkin acvins are usually more susceptible to this type of cancer. Some individuals with a weakened immune system, especially people with infections of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have a greater chance of getting this type of skin cancer. People over 70 years and individuals with light skin usually develop merkel cell cancer.
In many cases, doctors use careful examination of the patient's skin to help them diagnose the cancer of the skin of merkel cells. Pšehy, pigmented spots and abnormal growth are often studied on signs of disease. Some doctors perform a biopsy of the skin growth to remove a part or all tumor and leave the biopsy analyzed to cancer tumors. Patient lymph node biopsy can also be performed to determine whether cancer has metastasized or spread to other parts of the body. Medical imaging tests such as X -rays or computer toMograph (CT) can in some cases identify metastasted tumors.
Doctors can treat tumors of skin cancer by Merkel cell cells by removing the tumor and also by removing some nearby lymph nodes that seem to be cancer. In addition to surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy can also be used to treat some cases of cancer cells. Doctors usually recommend an individualized treatment program for patients with this type of cancer depending on the overall health, the patient's age and the location of the tumor. In some cases, cancer may spread to other organs such as the liver or brain where its treatment can be more difficult.