Increased programmed death ligand-1 expression in metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma associates with better prognosis

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly malignant skin cancer with neuroendocrine features and a propensity for both local recurrence and regional lymph node metastases. The prognosis is poor, and the 5-year overall survival rate is very low (0%-18%) for advanced stage MCC 1. Despite a high malignancy rate, some cases have a good prognosis, including cases with spontaneous regression (1.7%-3.0%) 2. Even after spontaneous regression, however, MCC may recur at distant sites 3. Therefore, a precise prognosis is difficult to make.
Source: Journal of Dermatological Science - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research