What are Merkel cell carcinoma “stages”?
As of 2009 a new MCC staging system has been established. This new system is based on an analysis of over 5,000 patients using the National Cancer Database as well as extensive review of the literature. Stages I & II MCC are defined as disease that is localized to the skin at the primary site. Stage I is for primary lesions less than or equal to 2 centimeters, and stage II is for primary lesions greater than 2 cm. Stage III is defined as disease that involves nearby lymph nodes (regional lymph nodes). Stage IV disease is found beyond regional lymph nodes.
