The changing paradigm of managing Merkel cell carcinoma in Australia: An expert commentary.

ABSTRACT: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin with an estimated disease-associated mortality of 15-33%. Australia has a higher incidence of MCC compared to the rest of the world, thought to be due to a higher ultraviolet index. The Australian MCC population is distinct from the MCC population of the Northern hemisphere, characterized by a predominantly viral negative etiology with high tumor mutational burden. The optimal management of MCC and the choice of treatment modality vary significantly across the world and even between institutions within Australia. Historically, the treatment for MCC has been resection followed by radiotherapy (RT), though definitive RT is an alternative treatment used commonly in Australia. The arrival of immune checkpoint i

SUBMITTER: Kok DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7754344 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature