Recurrence and mortality risk of merkel cell carcinoma by cancer stage and time from diagnosis

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) often behaves aggressively; however, disease-recurrence data are not captured in national databases, and it is unclear what proportion of patients with MCC experience a recurrence (estimates vary from 27%-77%). There is a need for stage-specific recurrence data that includes time from diagnosis. A prospective cohort study at the University of Washington (Seattle) found a recurrence rate of 40%, with stage as powerful prognostic factor: at 5 years, 80% of patients with pathologic stage I were without MCC recurrence versus 28% of patients with stage IV. Approximately 95% of all MCC recurrences arose within 3 years of diagnosis.