Living with Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma
A rare, fast-growing skin cancer (Merkel cell carcinoma) that usually appears as a painless bump on sun-exposed skin.
Understanding Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma
The bump may be skin-colored or red-violet and tends to grow quickly over weeks to months. It may spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body. Factors linked with it include older age, fair skin, a history of lots of sun exposure, a weakened immune system, and Merkel cell polyomavirus, which is found in most people who have it. It usually starts in adulthood and older adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Painless skin bump (nodule)
- Skin-colored or red-violet bump
- Red patch or plaque
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rapid growth over weeks to months
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists, hormone specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
merkelcell.org, Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation and The Skin Cancer Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Hormone specialists (endocrinologists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: merkelcell.org, Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, The Skin Cancer Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with merkelcell.org and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Factors linked with it include older age, fair skin, long sun exposure, a weakened immune system, and the Merkel cell polyomavirus, which has been found in most people with this cancer.
Also known as: anaplastic carcinoma of the skin; apudoma of skin; carcinoma of merkel cell; cutaneous apudoma; mcc; merkel cell cancer
Patient organizations
- merkelcell.orgCutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma · United States
- Neuroendocrine Tumor Research FoundationCutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma · United States
- The Skin Cancer FoundationCutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma · United States
- American Cancer SocietyCutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma · United States
- Cancer Hope NetworkCutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma · United States
- CancerCareCutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Explore research for Cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma
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