Merkel Cell Carcinoma

A dermatologist diagnoses and treats skin diseases like Merkel cell carcinoma. Seeing a skin cancer specialist is important because other conditions like benign (noncancerous) cysts, infected hair follicles (folliculitis) and styes can look similar to Merkel cell carcinoma.

Your healthcare provider will perform a full-body skin exam. They may feel for swollen lymph nodes, which can indicate infection or potential cancer spread. You’ll receive a skin biopsy of the tumor to check for cancer cells.

What are the stages of Merkel cell carcinoma?

Healthcare providers use cancer staging to determine the extent of cancer spread. Staging happens soon after diagnosis. The higher the stage number, the more severe the cancer spread.

Stage 0 Merkel cell carcinoma cancer only affects your skin’s outer layer. Stage IIIV (4) indicates the cancer is in distant organs.

What tests determine the stages of Merkel cell carcinoma?

You may get one or more of these tests to determine the cancer stage of Merkel cell carcinoma:

CT scan.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
Sentinel node biopsy or needle biopsy.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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