Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers in the United States. Merkel cell carcinoma — also known as neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin — is a rare and aggressive type characterized by a flesh- or bluish-red-colored nodule. It develops in the sun-exposed areas of your skin and has a high likelihood of spreading to the rest of your body.
Studies have shown that incidence rates of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer, have been rising quickly over the past few decades. About 2,000 cases of MCC are diagnosed in the United States each year.
— American Cancer Society
Merkel cells — which act like a combination of a nerve cell and hormone-producing cell — are located at the base of the epidermis (the outer layer of your skin).
City of Hope’s team of internationally trained dermatologists and dermatopathologists uses their clinical experience, expertise and leading-edge technology to provide you with the most accurate diagnosis for Merkel cell carcinoma.
City of Hope’s approach to treating skin cancer starts with a coordinated, multidisciplinary care team whose primary goal is offering you the best, most individualized treatment plan for Merkel cell carcinoma.
Skin cancer is a disease that can appear in different ways in the body. Research at City of Hope — driven by patient-specific, individualized treatment strategies — is focused on those differences and on designing therapies that affect how skin cancer develops, progresses and spreads.
Getting treated for skin cancer at City of Hope means you are steps away from labs where new cancer treatments are being developed every day. That proximity means you benefit from something unique in cancer care — bench-to-bedside treatment.
When you come to City of Hope, you have access to a strong network of support services and staff to help you and your family along your skin cancer journey.
Our Expertise
City of Hope is internationally recognized for its research and breakthrough treatments, has been named one of America’s top cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade.
Our Commitment To Providing Exceptional Care Includes:
- Promising new therapies as part of our clinical trials program, including novel intralesional injection therapies. These include studying commercially approved agents such as TVEC, an oncolytic virus that directly targets melanoma tumors with other therapies.
- Collaboration with the Melanoma Research Foundation, National Clinical Trials Network, Cytokine Working Group, SWOG Cancer Research Network, and Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network, providing quick access to the newest therapies and clinical trials
- Deep experience with immunotherapy-based treatments — including pivotal clinical trials for widely used drugs like ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab
- Expertise with isolated limb infusion, a focused chemotherapy treatment unavailable at most other cancer centers
- Our internationally trained dermatopathologist combines clinical experience with leading-edge technology to provide the most accurate diagnosis.
- Tumor testing and customized drug therapy tailored to the molecular profile of specific skin cancers
- Expertise in advanced facial reconstructive and microvascular procedures for patients with complex skin cancers
- Survivorship clinics — including physical therapy for lymphedema-related side effects — provide support and monitoring throughout the disease.
Your care includes regular interaction and input from a team that includes oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, dermatologists and pathologists, along with nurses, social workers and specially trained support staff.
City of Hope is one of only a few dozen centers in the U.S. using a comprehensive approach by a multidisciplinary team whose sole focus is treating skin cancer.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
