What is the overall prognosis?

The prognosis of MCC is related to the stage of disease, with a 5-year survival rate ranging from 81% in patients with localized small tumors, to 11% in patients with metastatic disease. More than half of patients experience recurrence, usually within 1 year of treatment. All patients need close follow-up after excision.

Allen PJ, Bowne WB, Jacques DP, et al: Merkel cell carcinoma: prognosis and treatment of patients from a single institution, J Clin Oncol 23:2300–2309, 2005.