How do you know if you have Merkel cell carcinoma?

The first sign of Merkel cell carcinoma is usually a fast-growing, painless nodule (tumor) on your skin. The nodule may be skin-colored or may appear in shades of red, blue or purple.

How does Merkel cell cancer start?

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) usually starts on areas of skin exposed to the sun, especially the face, neck, arms, and legs, but it can occur anywhere on the body. It often first appears as a single pink, red, or purple shiny bump that usually doesn’t hurt.

How long does it take for Merkel cell carcinoma to spread?

A physical exam may reveal a new skin lesion, an enlarged lymph node or an enlarged liver that may signal the spread of MCC. A lesion of metastatic MCC may appear as a 1-3 cm, flesh-colored to red-purple bump that feels firm, is deeper compared to the primary lesion, and grows rapidly over a period of 2-4 weeks.

Is Merkel cell carcinoma itchy?

While MCC is often painless, it can feel sore and tender. Some people say the growth itches. Many people who develop MCC are otherwise healthy. If you have certain risk factors, you have a greater risk of getting this skin cancer.

What can be mistaken for Merkel cell carcinoma?

An MCC can be mistaken for a basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, lymphoma, or small cell carcinoma of the skin. Most MCCs are provisionally diagnosed as basal cell carcinomas before biopsy.

Is Merkel cell cancer itchy?

Does Merkel cell carcinoma cause pain?

Does Merkel cell carcinoma hurt? While MCC is often painless, it can feel sore and tender. Some people say the growth itches. Many people who develop MCC are otherwise healthy.

Does Merkel cell carcinoma make you tired?

Fatigue is a common side effect of treatment for many types of cancer, including Merkel cell carcinoma.

Is Merkel cell carcinoma painful?

How long do you live with Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma?

In this study, patients with histologically node-negative tumors experienced excellent long-term survival. Approximately half of patients with node-positive disease survived 5 years, and the median survival for patients with metastatic disease was 9 months.

Are Merkel cell carcinoma itchy?

Can you survive Merkel cell carcinoma?

Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they were diagnosed….5-year relative survival rates for Merkel cell carcinoma.

SEER stage	5-year relative survival rate
All SEER stages combined	64%

What does Merkel cell carcinoma feel like?

What are the symptoms of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)?

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) usually starts on areas of skin exposed to the sun, especially the face, neck, arms, and legs, but it can occur anywhere on the body. It often first appears as a single pink, red, or purple shiny bump that usually doesn’t hurt. Sometimes the skin on the top of the tumor breaks open and bleeds. These tumors grow quickly.

What does Merkel cell carcinoma look like on the skin?

Appearance of Merkel cell carcinoma. MCC usually develops on sun-exposed skin (e.g., head, neck, arms) as a painless, firm bump that can be red-purple or skin-colored. Patients frequently point out a new MCC to their doctor because a bump is growing rapidly and/or does not look like anything the patient has ever had before.

Do Merkel cell carcinoma sores hurt?

They usually don’t hurt, but they’re fast-growing and can sometimes open up as ulcers or sores (see Signs and Symptoms of Merkel Cell Carcinoma ). Nearly all MCCs start on the skin, but a very small portion start in other parts of the body, such as inside the nose or esophagus.

What is Merkle cell carcinoma?

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule, often on your face, head or neck. Merkel cell carcinoma is also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Merkel cell carcinoma most often develops in older people.