STAGING MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA
The staging system outlined below uses the pathologic stage. It is important to know that merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cancer staging can be complex. If you have any questions about the stage of your cancer or what it means for your treatment ask your doctor to explain it in a way you understand.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) has five stages: 0, I, II, III, IV and uses the AJCC UICC 8 Staging System:
- Stage 0: MCC is found exclusively in the epidermis (top/outer skin layer)
- Stage 1: MCC is 2cm or smaller in diameter, without metastasis
- Stage 2A: MCC is 2cm+ in diameter, without metastasis
- Stage 2B: spread has occurred to nearby muscle, cartilage, fascia, or bone, without metastasis
- Stage 3A: spread has occurred to nearby lymph nodes, usually detected by sentinel node biopsy.
- Stage 3B (in-transit metastasis and/or advanced lymph node spread): MCC is found between the primary cancer site and the closest lymph nodes and/or advanced spread to nearby lymph nodes. The tumor may be any size.
- Stage 4 (metastatic cancer): spread has occurred to distant locations such as under the skin, further lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bone, or brain