Merkel Cell Carcinoma 101 (primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma)

A complete organized library of all my videos, digital slides, pics, & sample pathology reports is available here: kikoxp.com/pos... (dermpath) & kikoxp.com/pos... (bone/soft tissue sarcoma pathology).
Learn the basic features of Merkel cell carcinoma (primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma), including my personal approach to using immunohistochemistry in the work up and diagnosis of these tumors. Excerpted from my dermpath basics 5 video.
Please check out my Soft Tissue Pathology & Dermatopathology survival guide textbooks: bit.ly/2Te2haB ‬
This video is geared towards medical students, pathology or dermatology residents, or practicing pathologists or dermatologists. Of course, this video is for educational purposes only and is not formal medical advice or consultation.
Presented by Jerad M. Gardner, MD. Please subscribe to my channel to be notified of new pathology teaching videos.
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[@JMGardnerMD]

A complete organized library of all my videos, digital slides, pics, & sample pathology reports is available here: kikoxp.com/posts/5084 (dermpath) & kikoxp.com/posts/5083 (bone/soft tissue sarcoma pathology).

[@epictreasure]

Im so thankful you exist in the world. This weeks the passing of my father to Merkel cell. Out of this experience, it led me to you and I’ve developed such an interest due to this. You are an amazing, fascinating soul and will be one of the people who change the course of history due to your incredible understanding and passion for all these things that affect so many lives.

[@JMGardnerMD]

I’m so sorry for your loss and so thankful for your kind words. I’m glad my videos were helpful to you in some way. Best wishes for peace and healing to you and your family.

[@anetatanevska912]

I am fascinated by the presentations. They are amazing, very helpful and educational. I literally fell in love with dermatopathology because of your presentations. Thank you very much for providing us with this educational opportunity

[@dr.pendyke4887]

Nice video. I was diagnosed with MCC in February 2015 as a 44 year old male with no autoimmune issues. I had surgery a week later, stage 2B tumor on left forearm was removed via a radical, wide excision, had centennial lymph node under left arm removed, biopsy came back negative for MCC cells. In March I underwent 5 weeks of radiation on my left arm near my elbow. On May 5th of this year, I will reach my 5 year mark (hopefully). Advice to anyone newly diagnosed; join the MCC online community for support, get to one of the experts in this rare cancer, like Dr. N in Seattle, get on this fast and follow the treatment plan to the letter.

[@JMGardnerMD]

Thanks for sharing your story. Congrats on 5 years!!!! That’s wonderful. I’ve only seen one MCC patient as young as you. Most are much older as you probably know. And yes Dr. Paul Nghiem is a Merkel cell legend. One of my dermatologist colleagues worked with him on research and was the first author on one of his big MCC research papers. Can you share the link to the MCC patient group? I’d be happy to add it to the video description. I do a lot of volunteer work with sarcoma and other rare cancer patient groups on Facebook. Maybe I should join the MCC group too. Patients teach ME so much. Best wishes to you!

[@tsmilingatu]

Thank you so much for this video. I was just diagnosed with MCC and glad I have a better understanding after watching this video. Trying to get as much info as I can so I can have the best fighting chance.

[@lolajags]

Thank God I found you!!

[@davidharker2718]

These videos are great! Thank you!

[@lindamora7653]

Excellent presentation. Thanks a lot

[@lindamora7653]

I am a pathologist from Venezuela. One colleague shared today a cutaneous tumor with a diagnosis of Markle Cell Carcinoma (the patient is 57 years old. The lesion is big (approximately 10 x 5 cm, with slow growth for 13 years??? Clinical evolution appears contradictory with the known prognostic for MCC. I would like it is possible to share the pics with you? Please let me know.

[@drshadabdoi9785]

Well explained !! It would be great if u can add catch points in description of video if possible

[@jackywhite9756]

I was wondering if the following result from IHC stains could most likely be MCC rather than poorly differientied SCNEC: CK20+ (not sure if dot like) but positive, AE1/AE3+, Syn+, CgA+, CD56+, P16+, INSM1+, TTF1-. There is a high expression of SSTR2(3+) and TP53 is wild type. High ki-67 index of 70% Thanks in advanced!

[@maramjassem8781]

You are the best 🌸

[@arahmanabdelrahman6661]

Thank you

[@rabiataseer7443]

Thanks,Great video,but Rcpath dataset clearly states that Merkle cell is TTF1 negative,and this distinguishes it from Small cell lung.Why is that?

[@JMGardnerMD]

I later learned after recording this video (video was recorded a couple years ago) that although TTF-1 may be positive in other non-lung neuroendocrine carcinomas, it is usually negative in Merkel cell carcinoma.

[@corvideity]

what does it mean if i had ck20 in a suspected mucinous ovarian tumor that was actually fluid-filled and filled with gastrointestinal cells? i just got new pathology reports that said it was tan-colored with straw-colored fluid inside. no estrogen markers were found and no one said crap about my colon polyps i'd have years later. it was supposedly spotty, ischemic in spots and also had cdx2

[@denisegumiy3129]

thank yo thank you thank youuuuuuuuu

[@yukhui]

'Murky' cell thank you

[@s.markley2848]

Can this begin as a small bump under the skin for 7/8 months and all of the sudden show up,above the skin and aggressively start growing? I have had several skin cancers removed in the past and autoimmune disease that requires me to get ivig infusions every couple of weeks. I’m asking because the process to get to my dermatologist can take months and I need to know if I should push the issue to be seen quickly. I have all of the known prerequisites for being prone to MCC. Thanks!

[@JMGardnerMD]

Merkel cell carcinoma is very rare. It can present as a fast or slow growing bump. It often has a pink to purple color but not always. But many other skin tumors and conditions (both cancer and benign) can have a similar appearance. That’s why biopsy and microscopic examination by a pathologist is often needed for definitive diagnosis. For changing or rapidly growing skin lesion, it’s a good idea to see your dermatologist asap. If your skin bump is growing/changing rapidly, please call them and tell them exactly that, and ask if they can get you in for appointment sooner. Even busy dermatology practices often have a mechanism for expediting high risk patients. In the meantime, try not to worry too much. Not everything that is changing or growing is skin cancer, but it’s best to be safe and get it checked soon. Best wishes for health and healing.

[@s.markley2848]

@@JMGardnerMD Thanks so much for info! I did exactly that and awaiting pathology findings now.

[@studywithdr.nishamd927]

👌