Merkel cell carcinoma (also known as neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin) is a rare skin cancer. It usually is fast growing and can quickly spread to other parts of the body. As with other skin cancers, the number of cases is on the rise.

The first symptom is generally a fast-growing, painless bump on the skin which often appears on the face, head or neck but can occur anywhere on the body. It is usually shiny and may be flesh, red, blue or purple in color. If unchecked, the cancer can spread leading to swollen lymph glands, fatigue or pain. It is important to have any suspicious lesion checked out by a physician who may choose to remove or biopsy it for diagnosis.

It is not currently known what causes Merkel cell carcinoma but there are two leading theories. One is that the cancer arises directly from the Merkel cell which lies in the outmost layer of skin and the other is that certain immature skin stem cells become cancerous and develop features that resemble Merkel cells.

There are several risk factors for developing this type of cancer. As with all others, unprotected exposure to natural or artificial sunlight is one of the leading links. Others include age, having light or fair colored skin, a weakened immune system, or having a history of other types of skin cancers.

There are several treatments available. Several factors come in to play when your oncologist is coming up with a plan. The size and location of the lesion are important. Determining if the cancer has spread and if so, to what extent, is also vital. Small lesions that have not spread can generally be removed by surgically excising the lesion and a portion of the surrounding healthy skin. It may be advised to follow up the surgery with radiation to ensure that all cancer cells were removed or obliterated. Radiation can also be used to shrink the size of the tumor before surgery or as sole treatment in those who refuse surgery. For recurrent or metastasized Merkel cell, chemotherapy may be used.

All skin cancers should be under the care of an oncologist who can monitor and treat the lesions. Once skin cancer is present, the risk of developing more lesions or other types, increases so it is vital to be vigilant about sun protection and self-checking for new or changing lesions on the body.

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