Early Stage Merkel Skin Cancer
Merkel cell carcinoma mcc is rare and dangerous but treatable especially when found at an early stage.
Early stage merkel skin cancer. Find out how it is tested for diagnosed and staged. Because mcc is so aggressive finding it early can be life saving. Tumor cells have advanced beyond the original tumor and may have traveled as far as the nearby lymph nodes but not beyond. Merkel cell carcinoma mcc is also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin.
Tumor has not advanced beyond the outermost layer of skin. Merkel cell skin cancer early detection diagnosis and staging. This skin cancer often develops on the head or neck and can look like a sore. This stage is also called carcinoma in situ which means in its original place.
Be watchful for any new or changing lesions on your skin and look out for these warning signs. Merkel cell carcinoma can look like a sore. The nodule may be skin colored or may appear in shades of red blue or purple. When to see a doctor.
Key facts about this skin cancer that can help you find it early are that mcc tends to. The first sign of merkel cell carcinoma is usually a fast growing painless nodule tumor on your skin. Its a type of skin cancer that occurs when cells in the skin known as merkel cells grow uncontrollably. The earliest stage merkel cell cancers are called stage 0 or carcinoma in situ and then range from stages i 1 through iv 4.
Most merkel cell carcinomas appear on the face head or neck but they can develop anywhere on your body even on areas not exposed to sunlight. If youve been treated for a previous mcc pay close attention to the site and the surrounding region. Tumor has not spread to nearby lymph nodes. As a rule the lower the number the less the cancer has spread.