Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous malignancy, with aggressive behaviour. The discovery of MCC polyomavirus (MCPyV) provided a major insight into pathogenesis of MCC, as MCPyV is present in most MCC tumours. The primary treatment of locoregional MCC is surgery, and sentinel lymph node biopsy should be performed in all cases at clinical stage I-II. Adjuvant radiotherapy decreases disease recurrences in stage I-III of the disease. Chemotherapy is primarily used for palliation and provides overall response rates of approximately 70%; however, the disease often recurs within a few months. All cases of MCC should be managed in an experienced multidisciplinary setting.