Welcome! Defeating Merkel cell carcinoma begins here.
The critical first step is to find a Merkel cell carcinoma specialist.
It is critical that each case be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, including surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and dermatologists with significant experience in managing MCC, in order to develop a plan for the patient.
To find healthcare professionals experienced with Merkel cell carcinoma, start with our list of verified specialists.
Find a SpecialistMake sure your primary care team is knowledgeable and takes action.
Merkel cell carcinoma is rare, and it's common for many medical professionals to be unsure of where to start. When a diagnosis occurs, it is imperative that your medical team is knowledgeable and able to carry out an MCC specialist's plan.
Our clinical team recommends that all healthcare providers follow the NCCN guidelines for MCC to bring them up to speed on MCC and how to care for MCC patients.
Get the GuideConsider joining a patient-based group
A diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma is a life-changing experience. Support from others—in the form of advice, recommendations for local healthcare providers, or sharing personal victories—can help ease the burden many MCC patients and their families feel.
We encourage you to make connections; it’s been proven to help.
Get SupportThe latest advancements in treatment
Extended duration of anti-PD-1 therapy, using reduced frequency dosing, in patients with advanced melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma
How long an MCC patient should continue to receive immunotherapy treatment is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether reduced frequency dosing (giving immunotherapy less often) is effective in preventing the cancer from coming back, while also lowering patient costs and increasing convenien...
Delayed time to radiation and overall survival in Merkel cell carcinoma
MCC is commonly treated first with surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy (called “adjuvant” radiation, after there is no obvious remaining cancer). This study of 1,965 MCC patients examined whether delayed start of the adjuvant radiation affected the overall survival o...
Adjuvant immunotherapy with nivolumab versus observation in completely resected Merkel cell carcinoma (ADMEC-O): disease-free survival results from a randomized, open-label, phase 2 trial
In this clinical trial, patients who had their MCC removed by surgery were just observed, or given nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug, to assess whether it decreased their chance of MCC recurring. The findings revealed that people who used nivolumab after surgery had 42% less chance of recurrence afte...