Can Merkel Travel From Leg To Groin?

Merkel cell carcinoma tends to grow quickly and to metastasize (spread) at an early stage. It usually spreads

first to nearby lymph nodes and then may spread to lymph nodes or skin in distant parts of the body, lungs, brain, bones, or other organs

.

Where does melanoma usually spread to first?

Normally, the first place a melanoma tumor metastasizes to is the

lymph nodes

, by literally draining melanoma cells into the lymphatic fluid, which carries the melanoma cells through the lymphatic channels to the nearest lymph node basin.

How quickly does Merkel cell carcinoma spread?

How fast does Merkel cell carcinoma spread? Merkel cell carcinoma is a very aggressive and rare cancer that often spreads within

two to three years after initial diagnosis

.

How can you tell if melanoma has spread?

• Hardened lumps under your skin.
• Swollen or painful lymph nodes.
• Trouble breathing, or a cough that doesn't go away.
• Swelling of your liver (under your lower right ribs) or loss of appetite.
• Bone pain or, less often, broken bones.

How aggressive is Merkel cell carcinoma?

Merkel cell carcinoma is a

rare, aggressive skin cancer

. It appears as a painless, flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule growing on your skin. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule, often on your face, head or neck.

Does Merkel cell carcinoma grow fast?

Merkel cell carcinoma

tends to grow quickly

and to metastasize (spread) at an early stage. It usually spreads first to nearby lymph nodes and then may spread to lymph nodes or skin in distant parts of the body, lungs, brain, bones, or other organs.

What is the survival rate for Merkel cell carcinoma?

Does Merkel cell carcinoma hurt?

Does Merkel cell carcinoma hurt?

While MCC is often painless, it can feel sore and tender

. Some people say the growth itches. Many people who develop MCC are otherwise healthy.

Is Merkel cell carcinoma fatal?

Merkel cell carcinoma, or MCC, is a rare skin cancer that

can be fatal

, killing about 700 people per year. It occurs more commonly in people frequently exposed to ultraviolet light. Most cases of MCC show up first with a small red or purple bump on the skin.

What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?

Stage 1A means the: melanoma is

less than 1 mm thick

.

outer layer of skin (epidermis) covering the tumour may or may not look broken under the microscope (ulcerated or not ulcerated)

Can you have stage 4 melanoma and not know it?

When stage 4 melanoma is diagnosed after a scan,

there may be no symptoms at all

, and it can be difficult to believe the cancer has spread. However, people with stage 4 melanoma may have a very wide range of symptoms. People who have melanoma diagnosed in the brain are told not to drive.

What part of the body does melanoma generally affect?

Melanoma

most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men

. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn't been exposed to the sun. Melanoma can affect people of any skin tone.

How long does it take for melanoma to spread to lymph nodes?

How fast does melanoma spread and grow to local lymph nodes and other organs? “Melanoma can grow extremely quickly and can become life-threatening in

as little as six weeks

,” noted Dr. Duncanson.

Will melanoma show up in blood work?

Blood tests.

Blood tests aren't used to diagnose melanoma

, but some tests may be done before or during treatment, especially for more advanced melanomas. Doctors often test blood for levels of a substance called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) before treatment.

What can be mistaken for melanoma?

• Psoriasis. …
• Seborrheic Keratoses (Benign tumour) …
• Sebaceous hyperplasia. …
• Nevus (mole) …
• Cherry angioma.

What can be mistaken for Merkel cell carcinoma?

An MCC can be mistaken for a

basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, lymphoma, or small cell carcinoma of the skin

. Most MCCs are provisionally diagnosed as basal cell carcinomas before biopsy.

Does Merkel cell carcinoma run in families?

MCC does not seem to run in families

. While DNA changes ( mutations ) found in the cells of MCC tumors can lead to MCC, these types of mutations are not inherited from a person's parents. They are referred to as somatic mutations and occur during a person's lifetime, often as random events.

What is the best treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma?

Patients with Merkel cell carcinoma are usually first treated with surgery. Patients with more advanced disease may receive additional treatments such as radiation and drug therapy after or instead of surgery.

Surgery to remove the primary tumor

is the most common initial treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma.

How does Merkel cell start?

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)

usually starts on areas of skin exposed to the sun

, especially the face, neck, arms, and legs, but it can occur anywhere on the body. It often first appears as a single pink, red, or purple shiny bump that usually doesn't hurt.

Is Merkel cell carcinoma a solid tumor?

MCPyV-negative MCC is

among the most mutated of all solid tumors

, including melanoma (18, 48–50).

What virus causes Merkel cell carcinoma?

The

Merkel polyomavirus

is usually involved in Merkel cell carcinoma. In 2008, the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was discovered by the University of Pittsburgh laboratory of Drs Patrick Moore & Yuan Chang and found to be frequently present in MCC tumors.

Which is worse Merkel cell or melanoma?

Merkel cell carcinoma is more deadly than melanoma

, with approximately 1/3 of all diagnosed patients dying from the disease. It most often occurs in the elderly or those with a weakened immune system. It appears as a rapidly growing, non painful red nodule that can quickly metastasize.

How long do you live with Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma?

In this study, patients with histologically node-negative tumors experienced excellent long-term survival. Approximately half of patients with node-positive disease survived 5 years, and the median survival for patients with metastatic disease was

9 months

.

What does a Merkel cell carcinoma look like?

MCC usually develops on sun-exposed skin (e.g., head, neck, arms) as

a painless, firm bump that can be red-purple or skin-colored

.

How big is a Merkel cell?

How to spot a Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Dimensions vary, but the average size at detection is

1.7 cm, about the diameter of a dime

. Frequently on sun-exposed areas, often on the head and neck, particularly the eyelids.

Does Merkel cell carcinoma make you tired?

Fatigue.

Fatigue is a common side effect of treatment for many types of cancer, including Merkel cell carcinoma

. The best way to deal with fatigue is to listen to your body.