TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Source: Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 16, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
The prognosis and treatment options depend on:
the stage of the cancer (the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body)
where the cancer is in the body
whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back)
Source links and citations
the person's age and general health
Prognosis also depends on how deeply the tumor has grown into the skin.
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice