Welcome! Defeating Merkel cell carcinoma begins here.
The critical first step is to find a Merkel cell carcinoma specialist.
It is critical that each case be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, including surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and dermatologists with significant experience in managing MCC, in order to develop a plan for the patient.
To find healthcare professionals experienced with Merkel cell carcinoma, start with our list of verified specialists.
Find a SpecialistMake sure your primary care team is knowledgeable and takes action.
Merkel cell carcinoma is rare, and it's common for many medical professionals to be unsure of where to start. When a diagnosis occurs, it is imperative that your medical team is knowledgeable and able to carry out an MCC specialist's plan.
Our clinical team recommends that all healthcare providers follow the NCCN guidelines for MCC to bring them up to speed on MCC and how to care for MCC patients.
Get the GuideConsider joining a patient-based group
A diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma is a life-changing experience. Support from others—in the form of advice, recommendations for local healthcare providers, or sharing personal victories—can help ease the burden many MCC patients and their families feel.
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Get SupportThe latest advancements in treatment
Increased risk of recurrence and disease-specific death following delayed post-operative radiation for Merkel cell carcinoma
For MCC patients who have local disease, the standard treatment course is surgery followed by radiation therapy. However, it is not known how quickly surgery should be followed by radiation, and there are often delays in radiation treatment due to surgical wound healing and logistics. The authors an...
Survival outcomes after Mohs micrographic surgery are equivalent to wide local excision for treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck
When treating Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) that hasn't spread beyond the primary site yet, doctors often use surgery, but the type of best surgical approach is unclear. These authors looked at two types of surgery: one where they remove thin layers of skin and check them under a microscope during t...
Avelumab treatment for patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma can be safely stopped after 1 year and a PET/CT-confirmed complete response
The ideal duration for continuing immunotherapy is still being studied. This study assessed 25 patients who stopped avelumab (a type of immunotherapy) after 1 year of treatment (26 infusions) and a PET/CT scan that confirmed a complete response to the treatment. The study found that 88% of these pat...