[Clinical characteristics and research progress of ocular Merkel cell carcinoma]

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive epithelial and neuroendocrine tumor. MCC typically presents as painless nodules or patches rapidly growing in sun-exposed skin areas. Ocular MCC accounts for approximately 2.5% of all cases and may be misdiagnosed as granuloma or basal cell carcinoma. Risk factors for development include advanced age, ultraviolet exposure, male gender, immunosuppression, and Merkel cell polyomavirus infection. Treatment involves wide local excision with adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy is typically reserved for metastatic disease, and immunotherapy and targeted therapy are currently under investigation showing promising early outcomes. This article summarizes the clinical characteristics and research progress of ocular MCC.