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New merkelcell.org website launches! →An overview of Merkel cells, Merkel cell carcinoma, symptoms, and causes.
Learn More →The diagnosis of MCC is made with a skin biopsy, which is examined under the microscope.
Learn More →There are multiple treatments used for MCC, and treatment is generally based on stage of the disease.
Learn More →Disease recurrence and survival are two critical measures of prognosis.
Learn More →Explore resources about Merkel cell carcinoma, including frequently asked questions and our list of verified specialists.
Learn More →Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. The estimated 5-year survival of patients with metastatic disease is approximately 14%. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is associated with a modest median progression-free survival (PFS) of only 3 months. In recent s...
Read more →PURPOSE: The causative agent of most cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) has been identified as the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV). MCV encoded T-antigens (Tags) are essential not only for virus-mediated tumorigenesis but also for maintaining MCC cell lines in vitro. MCV Tags are thus an appealing ...
Read more →AIM: The aim of this article was to provide worldwide, population-based incidence rates for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). METHODS: We included 11,576 cases from 20 countries for time trend analyses (1990-2007) and 11,028 cases (2.5 billion person-years) from 21 countries for the period 2003-2007 extr...
Read more →Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that the National Health Service cover Bavencio (avelumab) as a treatment for adults with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC), a rare form of skin cancer. The institute’s Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) re...
Read more →BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) incidence rates are rising and strongly age-associated, relevant for an aging population. OBJECTIVE: Determine MCC incidence in the United States and project incident cases through the year 2025. METHODS: Registry data were obtained from the SEER-18 Database, ...
Read more →MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - EMD Serono, Canada, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada, and Pfizer Canada Inc. announced that Health Canada has approved BAVENCIO™ (avelumab for injection) for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcin...
Read more →On February 16, 2018, UW Medicine released an article on the projected increase for cases of Merkel cell carcinoma in the United States. This rare, aggressive cancer is rising nearly six times faster than other cancers. Current studies show that the incidence is expected to exceed 3,025 cases by 202...
Read more →Aim: The aim of this article was to provide worldwide, population-based incidence rates for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Methods: We included 11,576 cases from 20 countries for time trend analyses (1990e2007) and 11,028 cases (2.5 billion person-years) from 21 countries for the period 2003e2007 extr...
Read more →BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with distant metastatic disease (mMCC). In an initial analysis from JAVELIN Merkel 200, a phase 2, prospective, open-label, single-arm trial in mMCC, avelumab—a human antiâ€...
Read more →The University of Washington Newsletter recently published the story of Robert Yolles-- a husband whose ultimate goal was to help his wife, Monica, find the best possible doctors and treatments for her Merkel cell carcinoma. Through his search, he found Dr. Paul Nghiem. To this day, Yolles remains c...
Read more →The authoritative source on Merkel cell carcinoma.
Last updated:
January 1, 2019
Created in partnership with:
Seattle Multidisciplinary MCC Team, University of Washington MCC Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/Skin Cancer