We are physicians and researchers who work on Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive skin cancer.  If you, your patient or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with MCC, we hope you will find this website a great resource for information on the many pressing decisions that will need to be made.  The information on this website includes frequently asked questions (FAQ) about MCC, the symptoms, causes, treatment and multidisciplinary management by established teams of doctors with expertise in MCC; a glossary of terms relating to Merkel cell carcinoma that patients need to be familiar with; clinical photos of MCC tumors; as well as staging and prognosis information.  To improve the treatment and diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma we have formed an MCC Multicenter Interest Group (MMIG) composed of 120 physicians and researchers from more than 20 institutions in 4 countries.

To participate in our MCC studies, click here.

MCC patients have organized a Merkel cell carcinoma discussion/support group at "Google Groups."  See http://groups.google.com/group/merkelcell for more information. 

• For detail on any of these news items click here.

• The new ICD-9 codes and Staging System for Merkel cell carcinoma are accepted for publication to Actas Dermosifiliogr. November 2009
• Sherry Lee is selected to be a 2009-2010 Levinson Scholar.  Oct 2009
• Dr. Nghiem speaks at Yale University's Dermatology Seminar Series.  Oct 2009
• The Nghiem Lab is awarded an RC2 Grand Opportunity "GO" grant.  Oct 2009
• Kelly Paulson & others publish a paper in the Journal of the National Cancer Inst. showing that approximately 50% of people have antibodies for the Merkel cell polyomavirus. Sept 2009
• Olga Afanasiev, a graduate student in UW's Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), joins the lab to study MCC's cause and potential therapies.  Aug 2009
• Andrew Tegeder, a 4th year medical student, joins the lab to study prognostic factors for MCC.  Aug 2009
• Drs. Nghiem and Iyer describe MCC in an article for Skin Cancer Foundation Journal.  June 2009
• Fourth year medical student, Andy Tegeder wins a grant to study the prognostic effects of lymphovascular invasion in MCC. May 2009
• Dr. Iyer is successful in petitioning CDC & WHO to establish ICD-9 codes specific for MCC. This will greatly improve the ability to obtain insurance approval for procedures for MCC patients, as well as track costs, incidence, etc for this cancer. More information on the ICD9 codes for Merkel cell carcinoma can be found here.  A PDF can be downloaded here.  March 2009
• Dr. Nghiem describes the warning signs of Merkel cell carcinoma on Seattle's King 5.  View the video here. March 2009
• Undergraduate Research Assistant, Sherry Lee has been named a Mary Gates Scholar with the award of a Mary Gates Research Scholarship.  Sherry is working with Kelly Paulson in studying the Merkel cell polyomavirus.  February 2009
• The NIH sponsors an MCC workshop in Rockville, MD. January 2009
• Dr. Nghiem is featured on the SCCA's Patient Power webcast.  Dec 2008
• UW Merkel cell carcinoma Open House and dinner is held at UW's South Lake Union Campus in Seattle.  More than 50 people including MCC patients, their friends and families attend.  December 2008
• Kelly Paulson & others publish the most detailed view of Merkel cell carcinoma genetics.  November 2008
• Drs. Lemos and Nghiem write a response to New England Journal of Medicine's June 2008 Merkel cell carcinoma Case Record.  October 2008
• Kelly Garneski publishes a review of polyomavirus biology and its possible relation to cancer.  June 2008
• Patients create an informational flyer to increase awareness of Merkel cell carcinoma. April 2008
• The American Cancer Society awards a grant to fund research with the goal of increasing our understanding of the causes of MCC and increase our ability to predict outcomes for those who have MCC.  Our grant proposal was rated first of the 26 applicants for this award. April 2008
• The first study to characterize the presentation of Merkel cell carcinoma in a large number of patients is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. March 2008
• A new virus is identified, called Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV or MCPyV), in Science.   This virus is present in the majority of MCC tumors. February 2008
• Information about complementary and alternative approaches to treating MCC are added to the "Treatment" section of our website. February 2008
• First fresh tissue donation received via the internet. February 2008
• The MMIG has its third annual meeting in San Antonio, TX.  February 2008
• Dr. Nghiem speaks on Merkel cell carcinoma at the 2008 American Academy of Dermatology in San Antonio, TX. A summary of the information presented can be downloaded by clicking here. February 2008

• Merkel cell carcinoma patient discussion/support group at "Google Groups."  See http://groups.google.com/group/merkelcell. 

• To download a pdf version of the information on this website click here.

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Last Updated: 08/30/2010