Merkel Cell Cancer Treatment
However for people who are 65 years of age or older it may be too toxic to be used for pain relief.
Merkel cell cancer treatment. Some doctors might suggest treatments other than those listed here. Get detailed information about the diagnosis and treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent merkel cell carcinoma in this summary for clinicians. Ipilimumab is a type of ctla 4 inhibitor being studied to treat advanced merkel cell carcinoma. Treating merkel cell carcinoma based on the extent of the cancer.
Based on the stage of the cancer and other factors your treatment options might include. These medications can target and destroy cancer cells. Because mcc is such an uncommon form of skin cancer it is best to seek treatment at an academic center with physicians who have specialized expertise in caring for people with this particular disease. Treatment depends mainly on how far the cancer has spread so having the right tests done to determine the extent of the cancer such as a sentinel lymph node biopsy or imaging tests like ct mri or petct scans is very important.
Treatments for merkel cell carcinoma can include. Surgery for merkel cell carcinoma. Surgery to remove the tumor and any affected lymph nodes radiation treatment which directs high energy beams at the cancer cells this treatment is often used following. During surgery your doctor removes the tumor along with a border of normal skin surrounding the tumor.
Merkel cell carcinoma treatment options include surgery radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Treatment decisions depend on many issues that are highly variable between patients. Radiation therapy involves directing high energy beams such as x rays and protons at cancer cells. Depending on the stage of the cancer and your overall health your treatment options may include one or more of the following.
When ctla 4 attaches to another protein called b7 on a cancer cell it stops the t cell from killing the cancer cell. Ctla 4 inhibitors attach to ctla 4 and allow the t cells to kill cancer cells. It is best to seek at least one consultation from a multi disciplinary team of physicians with significant mcc experience. Merkel cell carcinoma is rare and dangerous but treatable especially when found at an early stage.
Treatment there are multiple treatments used for merkel cell carcinoma and treatment is generally based on stage of the disease. Chemotherapy while rarely used to treat mcc can reduce pain and other symptoms. Merkel cell carcinoma mcc is rare so it has been hard for doctors to study how best to treat this cancer. Radiation therapy for merkel cell carcinoma.