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Treating Merkel Cell Skin Cancer

If you've been diagnosed with Merkel cell skin cancer (also known as Merkel cell carcinoma, or MCC), your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. It's important to weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.

How is Merkel cell skin cancer treated?

Based on the stage of the cancer and other factors, your treatment options might include:

Common treatment approaches

Sometimes more than one type of treatment is used. Your treatment options will depend on the stage (extent) of the cancer, as well as other factors such as your overall health and personal preferences.

Who treats Merkel cell skin cancer?

Depending on your options, you may have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors may include:

  • A dermatologist: a doctor who treats diseases of the skin
  • A surgical oncologist (or oncologic surgeon): a doctor who uses surgery to treat cancer
  • A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
  • A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy

Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), nurses, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and other health professionals.

Making treatment decisions

It’s important to talk with your treatment team about all of your treatment options as well as their possible side effects. This will help you make the decision that best fits your needs. Some important things to think about include:

  • Your age and overall health
  • The stage (extent) of the cancer
  • Where the tumor is
  • The likelihood that treatment will cure the cancer (or help in some other way)
  • Your feelings about the possible side effects from treatment

If there's anything you don’t understand, ask to have it explained. 

MCC isn't common, so most doctors aren't likely to have seen or treated many cases. Even at major medical centers, where doctors are more likely to have experience with MCC, not all doctors agree on the best way to treat these cancers. If time allows, getting a second opinion from a team of experts may be a good idea. It can give you more information and help you feel good about the treatment plan that you choose.

Thinking about taking part in a clinical trial

Clinical trials are carefully controlled research studies that are done to get a closer look at promising new treatments or procedures. Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. 

If you would like to learn more about clinical trials that might be right for you, start by asking your doctor if your clinic or hospital conducts clinical trials. 

Considering complementary, integrative, and alternative methods

You may hear about other methods to relieve symptoms or treat your cancer that your doctors haven’t mentioned. They can include vitamins, herbs, and special diets, or other methods such as acupuncture or massage, to name a few.

Complementary and integrative methods are treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of standard medical treatment. Although some complementary and integrative methods might be helpful in relieving symptoms or helping you feel better, many have not been proven to work. Some might even be harmful.

Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using. They can help you learn what is known (or not known) about the method, which can help you make an informed decision. 

Help getting through cancer treatment

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Whether you are thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life. 

Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and they can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.

The American Cancer Society also has programs and services - including rides to treatment,  lodging, and more - to help you get through treatment. Call our Cancer Knowledge Hub at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our caring, trained cancer helpline specialists. Or, if you prefer, you can use our chat feature on cancer.org to connect with one of our specialists.

Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all

For some people, when treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Some people, especially if the cancer is advanced, might not want to be treated at all. There are many reasons you might decide not to get cancer treatment, but it’s important to talk to your doctors as you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat the cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.

People who have advanced cancer and who are expected to live less than 6 months may want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are near the end of life. You and your family are encouraged to talk with your doctor or a member of your supportive care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families.

The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask your cancer care team any questions you may have about your treatment options.

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