Diseases

Merkel Cell Carcinoma

A carcinoma arising from MERKEL CELLS located in the basal layer of the epidermis and occurring most commonly as a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Merkel cells are tactile cells of neuroectodermal origin and histologically show neurosecretory granules. The skin of the head and neck are a common site of Merkel cell carcinoma, occurring generally in elderly patients. (Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 3d ed, p1245)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A carcinoma arising from MERKEL CELLS located in the basal layer of the epidermis and occurring most commonly as a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Merkel cells are tactile cells of neuroectodermal origin and histologically show neurosecretory granules. The skin of the head and neck are a common site of Merkel cell carcinoma, occurring generally in elderly patients. (Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 3d ed, p1245)

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell
  • Merkel Cell Cancer
  • Merkel Cell Tumor
  • Merkle Tumors
  • Cancer, Merkel Cell
  • Cell Cancer, Merkel
  • Tumor, Merkel Cell
  • Tumors, Merkle

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

39 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, blood supply, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, chemistry, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, secondary, surgery, therapy, ultrastructure, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coordinate IM with SKIN NEOPLASMS (IM)

MeSH Record

History Note

89; CARCINOMA, TRABECULAR was see CARCINOMA, MERKEL CELL 1992-93

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Skin Neoplasms (1966-1988)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. C01w.925w.256.721.150w
  2. C01w.925w.928.216w
  3. C04w.557.465.625w.650w.240.325w
  4. C04w.557.470.200w.025w.370.325w
  5. C04w.557.580.625w.650w.240.325w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D015266. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D015266
  2. Merkel Cell Carcinoma. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkel-cell_carcinoma
  3. Merkel Cell Carcinoma. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1711744