Merkel Cell Carcinoma Guidelines

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 704 ◽  

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous tumor that combines the local recurrence rates of infiltrative non-melanoma skin cancer with the regional and distant metastatic rates of thick melanoma. The mortality rate of MCC exceeds that of melanoma, and the 5-year disease-specific survival rate is 64%. These guidelines and most biomedical literature suggest that the workup of a patient with MCC should include chest radiograph and additional studies as clinically indicated. These guidelines, which the NCCN Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Panel developed as a supplement to those for squamous cell and basal cell skin cancer, also outline treatment strategies. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Ciążyńska ◽  
Grażyna Kamińska-Winciorek ◽  
Dariusz Lange ◽  
Bogumił Lewandowski ◽  
Adam Reich ◽  
...  

AbstractNon-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies diagnosed in Caucasian populations. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, most European cancer registries do not record individual types of NMSC. To evaluate the incidence of primary BCCs and SCCs regarding age, sex, tumour site and tumour subtype to determine trends in epidemiology of both cancers. Retrospective analysis of BCCs and SCCs diagnosed and treated across seven sites in Poland from 1999 to 2019. We recorded 13,913 NMSCs occurring in 10,083 patients. BCC represented 85.2% of all cases. SCC patients were older than BCC patients (77.1 ± 11.3 years vs. 70.1 ± 12.3 years, p < 0.01). The nodular subtype was the most common subtype of BCC, followed by the superficial and infiltrative subtypes. The superficial BCC subtype was more common on photoprotected areas (p < 0.01), whereas the nodular BCC subtype occurred on the face (p < 0.01). The high-risk SCC subtypes were more common on face compared to low-risk SCC subtypes (p < 0.01). BCC and SCC are common malignancies developing at various ages and anatomical sites. These data underline the need for better registration policies regarding NMSC in order to improve prevention and treatment strategies for these tumours.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
Pier Cesare Capponi ◽  
Domenico Murri ◽  
Carmine Pernice

L-ascorbic acid, is a well-known molecule, sometimes used as antioxidant for skin care. Nonetheless, few studies have taken in account its utility as topical treatment for non-melanoma skin vancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and is widespread worldwide with an increasing incidence. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of L-ascorbic acid topical formulation, its percutaneous absorption and biochemical mechanism, focusing on its anti-cancer properties. In particular, it will be described how the pH and the concentration of the formulation are able to influence its distribution in the skin and tissues. We will report, the current knowledge on the pharmacokinetic aspects of L-ascorbic acid that allows us to reconsider it in the light of its ability to act as a prodrug and as an anticancer agent. Lastly, a short review with the aim to find any evidence of a possible clinical use of L-ascorbic acid for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer was made.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Zelin ◽  
Iris Zalaudek ◽  
Marina Agozzino ◽  
Caterina Dianzani ◽  
Arianna Dri ◽  
...  

Opinion statementRecently introduced systemic therapies for locally advanced and metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are paving the way for neoadjuvant approach. Although none of the therapeutic options has currently gained indication in this setting, neoadjuvant approach for NMSCs is an open field and we are likely to see huge developments in the near future. Targeted therapy with sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors is very effective in locally advanced or multiple basal cell carcinomas while immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors appears to be promising for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. To date, targeted therapy and immunotherapy represent the frontiers in NMSC therapeutic management and, according to recent studies, good results can be achieved.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luluel Khan ◽  
Elizabeth A. Barnes

Introduction.Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare form of non-melanoma skin cancer of neuroendocrine origin. Optimal management of patients is controversial and the role of radiotherapy is unclear.Purpose.The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of RT in the treatment of both local and distant metastatic disease from MCC.Methods.A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (1946—January Week 1 2012) and Embase (1980–2012 Week 2). Articles of interest analyze the efficacy of radiotherapy for treatment of metastatic MCC and did not exclude case reports.Results.All articles except one focusing on the role of radiotherapy were of retrospective origin or case series. Significant limitations applied in all studies due to limited sample sizes and the retrospective nature of these studies. Radiotherapy improves locoregional control in the adjuvant setting, and many series suggest an improvement in overall survival. In cases where surgery is not possible, definitive radiotherapy may be an as-efficacious alternative. The radiosensitive nature of MCC coupled with existing reports suggests that treatment via current protocols for other primary tumors is adequate.Conclusion.Further studies should be conducted prospectively to clarify the true role of radiotherapy in metastatic MCC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 3402-3404
Author(s):  
Hina , Manzoor ◽  
Najeeb Ahmad ◽  
Zafar H Tanveer ◽  
Khush Naseed Ahmed ◽  
Munir , Ahmed ◽  
...  

Background: Skin cancer is a broad term that refers to a variety of different types of cancer. It is usually recognized as non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer. In many parts of the world, the prevalence is high, with significant ecological and ethical variation. Objectives: Objective was to determine demographic and histological features of skin cancer in Southwest region of Pakistan. Methodology: This retrospective study was carried out on skin cancer 1169 cases of Centre for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR) in Quetta. The data from January 2000 to December 2009 (10Years) was retrieved from record. The aim was to determine the importance of skin cancer in this area, its gender wise distribution and its pathological types. Results: Record of total 9308 cancer patients was retrieved from patients presenting to CENAR Quetta. From 9308 case, 1169(12.5%) patients were of skin cancer which was second most prevalent category of cancer in this area. Prevalence was higher in males with 713(61%) cases as compared to females. Pathologically with 634(54%) cases, the most prevalent category was Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Conclusion: Skin cancer is wide-spread type of cancer in patients of south-west region of Pakistan. The findings of this study are not aligned with published data. The difference is because of high altitude of the study area, dry climate and long skin exposure particularly in low socio-economic field workers. Keywords: Skin cancer, gender, Melanoma skin cancer (MSC), Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), Basal cell carcinoma (BCC),


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Wargo ◽  
Kenneth Tenabe

The prevalence of malignant skin cancers has increased significantly over the past several years. Approximately 1.2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed per year. More alarming, up to 80,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed per year, an incidence that has been steadily increasing, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 50 for the development of melanoma. The disturbing increase in the incidence of both non-melanoma skin cancer and melanoma can largely be attributed to the social attitude toward sun exposure. The clinical assessment and management of skin lesions can be challenging. This review describes the assessment process, including thorough history and examination; the need for possible biopsy; and excision criteria. Specific types of skin cancer are distinguished and include basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; and melanoma; and for each type the incidence; epidemiology; histologic subtypes; diagnosis; and both surgical and non-surgical treatments are provided. Stages I-IV of melanoma are detailed, with prognostic factors described. Surgical treatment for stages I and II include description of the margins of excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The surgical treatment of Stage III melanoma further includes therapeutic lymph node dissection and isolated limb perfusion. Adjuvant therapies are also presented and include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The additional treatment of metastasectomy for Stage IV melanoma is described. For both Stage III and IV melanoma, the study of vaccines to host immune cells is reported. For Stage IV melanoma, the text also describes immunotherapy treatment. Operative procedures specific to superficial and deep groin dissections are outlined. This review contains 9 figures, 3 tables, and 96 references.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 2868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taxiarchis Konstantinos Nikolouzakis ◽  
Luca Falzone ◽  
Konstantinos Lasithiotakis ◽  
Sabine Krüger-Krasagakis ◽  
Alexandra Kalogeraki ◽  
...  

Skin cancer represents the most common type of cancer among Caucasians and presents in two main forms: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). NMSC is an umbrella term, under which basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) are found along with the pre-neoplastic lesions, Bowen disease (BD) and actinic keratosis (AK). Due to the mild nature of the majority of NMSC cases, research regarding their biology has attracted much less attention. Nonetheless, NMSC can bear unfavorable characteristics for the patient, such as invasiveness, local recurrence and distant metastases. In addition, late diagnosis is relatively common for a number of cases of NMSC due to the inability to recognize such cases. Recognizing the need for clinically and economically efficient modes of diagnosis, staging, and prognosis, the present review discusses the main etiological and pathological features of NMSC as well as the new and promising molecular biomarkers available including telomere length (TL), telomerase activity (TA), CpG island methylation (CIM), histone methylation and acetylation, microRNAs (miRNAs), and micronuclei frequency (MNf). The evaluation of all these aspects is important for the correct management of NMSC; therefore, the current review aims to assist future studies interested in exploring the diagnostic and prognostic potential of molecular biomarkers for these entities.


2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2205-2215 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL S. KRATHEN ◽  
ALICE B. GOTTLIEB ◽  
PHILIP J. MEASE

Objective.It is unclear if skin cancer risk is affected by the use of immunomodulatory medications in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate and summarize the available data pertinent to this question.Methods.The English language literature on PubMed was searched with a combination of phrases, including “malignancy,” “skin cancer,” “squamous cell carcinoma,” “basal cell carcinoma,” “melanoma,” “psoriasis,” “psoriatic arthritis,” and “rheumatoid arthritis” in addition to the generic names of a variety of common immunomodulatory drugs. Relevant articles were identified and data were extracted.Results.In total, 2218 potentially relevant articles were identified through the search process. After further screening, 20 articles relevant to RA were included. An additional 19 articles relevant to either psoriasis or PsA were included as well. RA may be a risk factor for the development of cutaneous malignancy. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors increases the rates of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in RA and psoriasis. This risk doubles when combination methotrexate therapy is used in RA. Methotrexate may increase the risk of malignant melanoma in patients with RA and the risk of NMSC in psoriasis. Cyclosporine and prior phototherapy significantly increase the risk of NMSC.Conclusion.RA may potentiate the risk of cutaneous malignancy and therefore dermatologic screening in this population should be considered. The use of immunomodulatory therapy in RA, psoriasis, and PsA may further increase the risk of cutaneous malignancy and therefore dermatologic screening examinations are warranted in these groups. More careful recording of skin cancer development during clinical trials and cohort studies is necessary to further delineate the risks of immunomodulatory therapy.


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