Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. The head and neck is the most common site of MCC in fair-skinned elderly patients. Radical surgical excision with pathologic verification of complete removal of the tumor is the recommended treatment. Early MCC can be effectively treated by surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy, whereas advanced MCC is currently considered incurable. The purpose of this article is to shed light on this rare skin cancer and introduce the latest advances in research regarding MCC.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.