A SEER program study of survival trends in Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid: 2000–2019

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid (MCCE) is a rare yet aggressive neuroendocrine tumour associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate survival trends and demographic factors related to MCCE, 2000–2019, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.

Methods

Cases were analysed by demographic parameters, disease properties, and survival. Statistical analyses were performed via a dedicated computerized software package.

Results

A total 349 cases of MCCE were identified, accounting for 2% of all MCC cases in the United States during that time. Of note, the incidence of MCCE remained stable over the study period (p = .35). Female patients accounted for 56% of the cases, and males for 44%. White patients accounted for 90.8% of the the cases, and Black patients for 2.9%. MCCE incidence increased with age, with the majority of patients age 85+ (p < .05). Incidence was greatest in metropolitan areas and among those with median incomes >$75,000/year. Income correlated with likelihood of MCCE diagnosis (p < .05). Analysis of 5-year survival data showed 20% of the patients died due to MCCE within 5 years of diagnosis. Of these, the majority died within one year of diagnosis.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous reports, most patients were white, female, and age 85+.Incidence correlated with metropolitan environments and median income. While most patients did not die from MCCE, majority of recorded deaths occurred within one year of diagnosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Merkel cell carcinoma
• eyelid
• orbital tumor
• periorbital carcinoma

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the National Cancer Institute for the privilege to access data for this article from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Supplementary materials

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01676830.2023.2286380

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.