Early Stage Skin Cancer Merkel Cell Carcinoma
As a rule the lower the number the less the cancer has spread.
Early stage skin cancer merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma is most frequently diagnosed after a patient notices skin changes and visits the doctor where a biopsy and other tests including imaging tests and blood tests are conducted. The first sign of merkel cell carcinoma is usually a fast growing painless nodule tumor on your skin. A higher number like stage iv means cancer has spread more. How rare is it.
Merkel cell carcinoma mcc is also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Be watchful for any new or changing lesions on your skin and look out for these warning signs. When to see a doctor. 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.
Tests for merkel cell carcinoma stages and outlook prognosis after a cancer diagnosis staging provides important information about the extent of cancer in the body and the likely response to treatment. Since mcc often quickly spreads to nearby lymph nodes the nodes are checked once a diagnosis is confirmed. The nodule may be skin colored or may appear in shades of red blue or purple. The earliest stage merkel cell cancers are called stage 0 or carcinoma in situ and then range from stages i 1 through iv 4.
A rare skin cancer merkel cell carcinoma mcc is a rare aggressive form of skin cancer with a high risk for returning recurring and spreading metastasizing often within two to three years after initial diagnosis. Its a type of skin cancer that occurs when cells in the skin known as merkel cells grow uncontrollably. Merkel cell carcinoma mcc is rare and dangerous but treatable especially when found at an early stage.