BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe primary MCC incidence trends, epidemiology, and predictors of survival. METHODS: The population covered by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program was analyzed as a prospective cohort. We measured age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) and effect of age, anatomic site, and stage on survival. RESULTS: Incidence was higher in males (0.34) than in females (0.17). Cases (n = 1034) occurred mostly in whites (94%), in people older than 65 years (76%), and at the head (48%). The 5-year relative survival was 75%, 59%, and 25% for localized, regional, and distant MCC, respectively. Female sex, limb presentation, localized disease, and younger age were positive predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: The highest incidence of MCC was observed in whites, males, and in people older than 65 years. Only 49% of cases were reported as localized. Better survival was associated with limb localization, early-stage disease, younger age, and female sex.
BACKGROUND:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe primary MCC incidence trends, epidemiology, and predictors of survival. METHODS: The population covered by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program was analyzed as a prospective cohort. We measured age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) and effect of age, anatomic site, and stage on survival. RESULTS: Incidence was higher in males (0.34) than in females (0.17). Cases (n = 1034) occurred mostly in whites (94%), in people older than 65 years (76%), and at the head (48%). The 5-year relative survival was 75%, 59%, and 25% for localized, regional, and distant MCC, respectively. Female sex, limb presentation, localized disease, and younger age were positive predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: The highest incidence of MCC was observed in whites, males, and in people older than 65 years. Only 49% of cases were reported as localized. Better survival was associated with limb localization, early-stage disease, younger age, and female sex.
Authors: Bianca D Lemos; Barry E Storer; Jayasri G Iyer; Jerri Linn Phillips; Christopher K Bichakjian; L Christine Fang; Timothy M Johnson; Nanette J Liegeois-Kwon; Clark C Otley; Kelly G Paulson; Merrick I Ross; Siegrid S Yu; Nathalie C Zeitouni; David R Byrd; Vernon K Sondak; Jeffrey E Gershenwald; Arthur J Sober; Paul Nghiem Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2010-06-19 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Maryam M Asgari; Monica M Sokil; E Margaret Warton; Jayasri Iyer; Kelly G Paulson; Paul Nghiem Journal: JAMA Dermatol Date: 2014-07 Impact factor: 10.282
Authors: Klaus J Busam; Achim A Jungbluth; Natasha Rekthman; Daniel Coit; Melissa Pulitzer; Jason Bini; Reety Arora; Nicole C Hanson; Jodie A Tassello; Denise Frosina; Patrick Moore; Yuan Chang Journal: Am J Surg Pathol Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 6.394