Merkel Cell Carcinoma patients have high risk of subsequent cancers

A recent cohort study published in JAMA Dermatology found that patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma or MCC had an increased risk of subsequently developing solid and hematologic cancers. This increased risk may be associated with increased surveillance, treatment-related factors, or shared etiologies of the other cancers with MCC.

Cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. It typically develops on sun-exposed areas of the skin and often appears as a painless, firm, flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule. This type of cancer is associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The risk of subsequent primary cancers after a diagnosis of cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is not well established. To fill the knowledge gap, researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine analyzed data from 17 registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2019. In all, 6146 patients diagnosed with a first primary cutaneous MCC were identified.

Of these patients, 725 (11.8%) developed subsequent primary cancers. For solid tumors after MCC, risk was elevated for cutaneous melanoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma. For hematologic cancers after MCC, risk was increased for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Reference: Eid E, Maloney NJ, Cai ZR, et al. Risk of Multiple Primary Cancers in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A SEER-Based Analysis. JAMA Dermatol. Published online September 13, 2023. DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.2849