Merkel cell carcinoma is not a simple skin problem. It can spread to places like your belly or your brain. In fact, most Merkel cell carcinomas have spread before the cancer is diagnosed.
Treating Merkel cell carcinoma is complicated and requires a team effort. Your best option is to seek care at an academic health system like UK HealthCare, where doctors at the Markey Cancer Center have the expertise required to treat Merkel cell carcinoma.
At Markey, we have experts who specialize in Merkel cell carcinoma and offer the latest advanced treatments. Your Markey team will include specialists in medical oncology, surgery, radiation therapy, pathology and more. Your team sees patients with Merkel cell carcinoma in their clinic every week. It’s the kind of expertise you can’t get just anywhere.
Our Merkel cell team also works with other medical specialists to ensure your care takes into account other conditions you may have. Specialists we work with include:
- Transplant: People with a weakened immune system due to transplant medicines or other conditions may be more susceptible to Merkel cell carcinoma. Treatment often involves close collaboration with the doctors managing your transplant and other health conditions.
- Cardio-oncology: Treatment can have an impact on people with heart conditions. Others may develop heart treatments during their cancer care. Markey’s cardio-oncologists work closely with our team to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your treatment plan.
- Neurosurgery and neuro-oncology: If the cancer has spread to the brain, we work closely with specialists in brain tumors, including neurosurgeons or neuro-oncologists, to develop the best possible treatment plan.
Surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage Merkel cell carcinoma. We use surgery to remove the Merkel cell lesion and surrounding tissue. After surgery, you may also need reconstructive surgery to repair the treated area. We may also remove lymph nodes and surrounding tissue during surgery.
Chemotherapy uses medications to stop the growth of cancer cells or prevent them from spreading. These medicines can be taken orally (as pills) or through an injection.
We often use chemotherapy in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to treat Merkel cell carcinoma.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or stop cancer from growing. Radiation therapy can be used alone or combined with surgery or chemotherapy to treat Merkel cell carcinoma.
Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps your body's own immune system fight cancer. These treatments boost your immune system's ability to recognize and attack the cancer cells.
Immunotherapy is often an option used in clinical trials for Merkel cell carcinoma. We may use immunotherapy either before or after surgery, depending on how and where the Merkel cell cancer has spread.
When Merkel cell spreads, it’s much harder to treat, especially for people who’ve had a transplant or are immunosuppressed for other reasons. The recommended first approach for Merkel cell that’s spread is a clinical trial.
As Kentucky’s NCI-designated cancer center, Markey offers leading-edge clinical trials for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. We’re investigating new Merkel cell treatments at Markey and delivering those treatments to our patients.
Lymphedema is a condition that leads to fluid buildup, swelling and discomfort. Lymphedema is one of the most common complications of Merkel cell carcinoma. You may develop lymphedema because of the cancer itself or the treatments for it.
At Markey, we offer physical therapy to reduce swelling and prevent lymphedema complications. Our therapists use massage and other techniques to help with swelling. We also provide pain management services to help you reduce the discomfort caused by lymphedema.
