Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Surgery is usually considered to be the first treatment that a patient may undergo for the Merkel-Cell cancer, which is also known as MCC in many cases, when in the state of an early tumor. Radiotherapy is also used commonly for the treatment of the MCC because of its aggressive local and regional metastatic behavior. The method of Chemotherapy may be used for the treatment of both primary and the metastatic Merkel-Cell Carcinoma. The patients of the Merkel-Cell Carcinoma can also be treated through the drugs or the anti-cancer therapy which is expected to be in the market in the near time soon. The patient can also be treated by the process of Sentinel lymph node biopsy which is also known to many people as SLNB. This method generally detects the tumors which otherwise would have been clinically under staged. Another way of treating MCC is through the process of Epidemiology. Many researchers have found that this type of skin cancer occurs most often between the age of 60 and 80 years and also, the rate of this incident is twice as high in males as in the females which on a whole is not a very common type of skin cancer. It is known that the other primary cancers increase the risk of the MMC to a significant extent.

The treatment of the Merkel-Cell Carcinoma generally requires the examination of the biopsy tissue in the body. A punch biopsy or a full-thickness incisional biopsy of the skin is an ideal biopsy specimen which also includes full-thickness incisional biopsy of the skin also including a full-thickness dermis and also the subcutaneous fat. In addition to the standard examination of the skin tissue under the light microscopy, something called immunohistochemistry is also required for the differentiation of the MCC from other forms of the morphologically similar tumors which are found in the body like the small cell lung cancer, various types of the melanoma which are small cell variants, various cutaneous lymphoid neoplasm, and also the Ewing’s sarcoma. Most of the experts, in a similar way, recommend the longitudinal imaging of the chest through the CT scan which can probably rule out the possibility of the skin lesion to be a skin metastasis of the underlying carcinoma of the lung which is small celled. Prevention is also recommended by many researchers as one of the methods of cure as the progression of the disease is modulated by the immune system of the body. MCC is mostly increased in the defective immune functioning conditions and also in the patients who have had organ transplants.

Treatment of the Merkel-Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is generally carried out after the confirmation of the symptoms on the person’s body. Merkel-Cell Carcinoma is usually present as a painless, firm, nodule which can be of a diameter of up to 2 cm. These can be present on any part of the body and are generally flesh-colored, red and typically vary in sizes.

Those who are not having sort of nodes or any issues related to the disease need not undergo this treatment.

Yes. There are side effects of the Merkel-Cell Carcinoma (MCC) if the patient is treated by the radiation therapy or the chemotherapy. The patient, if being treated by the radiation therapy, may have external side effects on the skin which may include skin changes, nausea or vomiting, painful sores in the mouth, diarrhea, fatigue, and dry mouth or thick saliva. Most of the side effects of the radiation therapy are temporary but few are temporary and may remain permanently if not taken care of. The chemotherapy has different kinds of side effects depending on the type and amount of the doses given and also on the duration of the time in which the drugs are being taken. The side effects can include hair loss, loss of appetite, mouth sores and nausea. Easy bruising or bleeding and fatigue due to low red blood cells count.

The post-treatment guidelines provided are strict to be followed by as there is always a chance for Merkel-Cell Carcinoma to reoccur. It is mostly recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep the immune system strong. As it is a well-known fact that the ultraviolet radiation (UV) is the primary cause of the disease, so it is very important to prevent the UV overexposure. The patients are recommended to seek the shade, not to get sunburnt, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It is also recommended to see a dermatologist at least twice a year and get the body checked to see if there are any signs of the cancer cells in the body.

According to the researches done by several scientists, the Markel-Cell Carcinoma may long up to 5 years. They cannot tell how long a person is going to live but can help fasten up the procedure. The relative survival rates a more accurate in the estimation of the effect of cancer on survival. The survival rates in most of the cases are estimates and thus the outlook can vary on a number of factors.

The price of the treatment of Merkel-Cell Carcinoma in India lies on the costlier side for the middle class of the society to afford. A normal dosage of drug weighing 200 mg may cost up to 1 lakh rupees. The therapy recommended for the treatment of this type of cancer lasts for a minimum of three months which may cost a person up to 20 lakhs of rupees. It is good for a person to know that there are many hospitals in India which capable enough for the treatment of cancer of this severity.

The results of the treatment of Markel-Cell Carcinoma are not permanent and there are high chances of the disease to reoccur if proper precautions are not taken. The post-treatment guidelines provided should be followed very strictly in routine and the person should get themselves checked regularly to look for the symptoms of the disease.

The alternatives to the treatment of the Merkel-Cell Carcinoma are optimization of vegetables and fruits intake. Eating fruits and vegetables with maintaining the proper diet has been approved universally and is good for building up an immune system which may keep the reoccurrence of the disease away. Nutritional supplements should be provided and the way of living of the person should be optimized.