Tumors
When we think of aggressive cutaneous malignancies, melanoma is often the primary focus. However, the Merkel cell tumor is an additional neoplasm that appears less frequently in abstract accessions.
A recent comparative study using SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) data from 2000 to 2021 examined the epidemiology and malignant behavior of both Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and melanoma in patients aged 20 and older. The analysis covered case diagnoses, anatomical locations, risk factors, and survival outcomes.
Key findings:
- From 2000 to 2021, 19,444 cases of MCC and 646,619 cases of melanoma were recorded.
- A vast majority of both cancers were diagnosed in non-Hispanic White individuals: 90% of MCC cases and 95% of melanomas.
- Age at diagnosis differed significantly:
- Over 70% of MCC cases occurred in patients aged 70 and older.
- Only 37% of melanomas occurred in that same age group.
- Tumor location also varied:
- 46% of MCCs arose in the head-and-neck region, compared to 22% of melanomas.
- Among non-Hispanic White individuals, ambient UV radiation was more strongly associated with melanomas of the head and neck.
Survival and disease progression:
- Cancer-specific survival rates:
- For MCC: 5-year survival was 69%, and 10-year survival was 66%.
- For melanoma: 5-year survival was 90%, and 10-year survival was 86%.
- Localized disease at diagnosis:
- 55% of MCC tumors were localized, compared to 78% of melanomas.
- Cancer-specific mortality:
- 25% (3,686 individuals) with MCC and 10% (50,691 individuals) with melanoma died of the disease.
- Importantly, survival improved in both groups after 2011, coinciding with the introduction of BRAF inhibitors and immune checkpoint therapies.
This type of valuable comparison is made possible thanks to robust cancer registry data—and the dedication of Oncology Data Specialists who ensure its accuracy and completeness.
