“Other” Skin Cancers

There are many other less common skin cancers.  These are just a brief overview.

  1. Merkel cell cancer
  2. Undifferentiated Pleomorphic dermal sarcomas
  3. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
  4. Sebaceous carcinoma
  5. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Merkel Cell Cancer

Can have multiple appearances looking like an insect bite, sore, cyst, pimple.

These do tend to grow quickly and therefore tend to be more aggressive tumors.

Generally requires wide local excision with sentinel node biopsy.  These procedures will be performed in the operating room under anesthesia.  Removals can be quite extensive.

Additional screening including MRI and PET scan is often utilized.

Radiation therapy is often used post procedure.  In some cases chemotherapy and immunotherapy may be utilized.

Rare with an incidence of approximately 0.7 per 100,000 caucasians approximately 2000 cases each year.

However, this is a fairly dangerous cancer with a 5-year survival that varies between 19 and 76% depending upon its stage.

Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma

Rare soft tissue tumor occurring most commonly in older men.

Previously these lesions were referred to his atypical fibroxanthoma’s as well as malignant fibrous histiocytoma’s.

Often these are just a lump or swelling on the arms legs abdomen or scalp.

Rare with an incidence of approximately 1 per 100,000.

These are treated with wide local excision and postoperative radiation therapy.

Approximate rates of Recurrence 20%; metastatic 30%, 5-year survival  70%

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

Incidence approximately 0.4 per 100,000

This often is a pimple-like growth that is nontender.

Treatment is generally surgical with postoperative radiation.

Has a relatively high risk of recurrence locally.

Distant spread fortunately is rare and survivability is 99% at 5 years

Sebaceous Carcinoma

Incidence approximately 0.25 per 100,000

This often occurs on eyelids.

This does require surgical excision.  Lymph nodes may be biopsy.  Radiation may be utilized.

This cancer unfortunately can spread and has a 5-year survivability of approximately 90%

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Incidence approximately 0.6 per 100,000

Often looks like eczema or rashing.

These generally worsen very slowly.

While this requires treatment often by hematologist and oncologist most people can essentially live a normal life with it.

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