SKIN CANCER
MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA
This is a rare type of skin cancer which is usually a rapidly enlarging, flesh coloured painless lump on the skin. At times it can have a purple/blue hue. It tends to occur in those who are immunocompromised or in the elderly and in sun exposed areas of skin.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma can behave aggressively and can spread in a similar fashion as Melanoma to lymph nodes, locally and to other sites in the body.
Diagnosis is made by a surgical excision and then a management plan can be made which may involve the following or a combination of treatments:
- Further surgery to the area
- Sentinel node biopsy
- Surgery to the lymph nodes
- Radiotherapy to the primary site and lymph nodes.
- An individualised treatment plan will be made for each patient.
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