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
Avelumab in patients with previously treated metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (JAVELIN Merkel 200): updated overall survival data after >5 years of follow-up
This study presents updated findings from the JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial after more than 5 years of follow-up. It clearly shows that patients with metastatic MCC (mMCC) who previously experienced disease progression following chemotherapy had meaningful long-term overall survival, unlike for chemother...
Bespoke circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for treatment response in a refractory Merkel cell carcinoma patient
This case report showed that a personalized and tumor-informed (‘bespoke’) test for cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could predict MCC treatment response in an MCC patient treated with Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and hypofractionated radiation (HRT).
Merkel cell carcinoma in Turkey: A multicentric study
These authors from Turkey have carefully described the outcomes of 89 MCC patients seen across 20 centers in Turkey between 1999 and 2018. They note that MCC recurred in 28% of patients who presented with local and or nodal disease, and that while rare, the incidence is increasing in Turkey.