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07:29
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Treatment options for Merkel cell carcinoma
Samuel W Beenken1, Marshall M Urist
1Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1824 6th Avenue South, WTI-620, Birmingham, AL 35294-3300, USA. Samuel.beenken@ccc.uab.edu
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
|September 26, 2009
Summary
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer with a poor prognosis. Early detection and multimodal treatment, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer.
- MCC has a historically poor prognosis and high recurrence rates.
- Current treatment strategies aim to improve local control and survival rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) management.
- To highlight the importance of early detection and multimodal treatment approaches.
- To identify areas for improvement in therapeutic strategies for MCC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data.
- Review of established treatment guidelines for MCC.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes including local control and survival.
Main Results:
- Complete surgical excision with clear margins is the recommended primary treatment.
- Adjuvant radiotherapy likely improves local control but not survival.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy aids in staging and treatment decisions for early-stage MCC.
- Systemic chemotherapy, similar to small cell lung cancer regimens, offers temporary responses in advanced MCC.
- The three-year overall survival rate for MCC is currently 31%.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of MCC requires a multidisciplinary approach.
- Improvements in long-term survival depend on early detection and optimized treatment.
- Further research is needed to develop more effective systemic therapies for advanced MCC.
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