“Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive skin cancer which is often and sadly diagnosed late, when it has more metastatic features,” says Dr. Marianna Blyumin Karasik, MD ...

Merkel cell carcinoma falls within the category of nonmelanoma skin cancer and is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, affecting about 2,500 people in the U.S. annually. Merkel cells are ...

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer. It starts in the Merkel cells, which are usually in the top layer of the skin. This layer is called the epidermis. Merkel cells are near the ...

Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD Skin cancer occurs when skin cells mutate and grow uncontrollably. The most common cause of skin cancer is cell damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Unlike melanoma, the skin cancer that American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett recently died of, is rare. And it’s stealthier. It’s also aggressive: Merkel cell carcinoma, like melanoma ...

The detection of metastases in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) requires additional testing, such as pancytokeratin (panCK) or CK20, with no guarantee of success. Recent findings have identified ...