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.
We encourage you to make connections; it’s been proven to help.
Get SupportThe latest advancements in treatment
Durability of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma after treatment cessation
In this study of 40 patients from Australia with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, the authors found that about one third of patients had their MCC return within the first year of stopping immunotherapy. They also noted that if therapy extended longer, there appeared to be more protection from recur...
Merkel cell carcinoma: a forty-year experience at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
This study from Australia provides useful insight on the outcomes of more than 500 Merkel cell carcinoma patients in a place that relies heavily on radiation therapy. The risk of recurrence is very similar to what we see in the US and thus provides more confidence in current US-based data. This stud...
Baseline ultrasound and FDG-PET/CT imaging in Merkel cell carcinoma
At the time of diagnosis, MCC is known to have spread from the primary site to other locations in over one third of cases. The best way to detect such spread is still debated, but major guidelines now suggest that a PET-CT scan is one preferred method. In this study, the authors analyzed 135 MCC pat...