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