News & Publications

A human polyomavirus was recently discovered in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) specimens. The Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) genome undergoes clonal integration into the host cell chromosomes of MCC tumors and expresses small T antigen and truncated large T antigen. Previous studies have consistently...

A 58-year-old white man noted a small lesion on the right side of his neck in August of 2006. The papule resembled an ingrown hair, was relatively uncomfortable, and slowly increased in size. Three months later, a reddish-purple nodule had grown to a diameter of 2 cm and was narrowly excised. Pathol...

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. MCC from an unknown primary origin (MCCUP) can present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We describe our single-institution experience with the diagnosis and management of MCCUP presenting as metastases to lymp...

Purpose of Review: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin demonstrating a high propensity of recurrence and metastasis. Its 5-year disease-specific survival rate is only about 60%. Although MCC is still regarded as a very rare tumor entity, its incide...

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin malignancy with a high mortality rate and an increasing incidence. The recent discovery of Merkel cell polyomavirus has revolutionized our understanding of MCC pathogenesis. Viral oncoproteins appear to play a critical role in tumor progression and a...

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplasm whose natural history is poorly understood. Here, the authors describe their experience with a large cohort of patients who were treated at a single institution to describe patterns of recurrence after curative therapy.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin cancer. Cumulative data from retrospective series support the notion that benefits are obtained by both wide excision and adjuvant radiation therapy. However, surgery may be difficult to perform with tumors located in the head and neck region and/or in elde...

Dr. Kelly Paulson reports in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that "killer CD8 T cells," when present inside MCC tumors, predict excellent survival after MCC diagnosis. This study began by examining thousands of genes in MCC tumors. The initial finding was that survival was better among patients who...

A portion of the Merkel cell polyomavirus called the "T-antigen" (t is for tumor) is present in about 80% of all MCC tumors. This protein is critical for most MCC tumors to grow. In 2010, we reported that antibodies that recognize this T-antigen are present in about 50% of newly diagnosed MCC patien...

On January 1, 2010, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) adopted a new staging system for MCC. Dr. Nghiem led the MCC taskforce of the AJCC in this analysis and wrote the chapter with Dr. Bianca Lemos. The chapter is available here for download or accessible online via the link below.