Merkel cell carcinoma, the disease that killed Jimmy Buffett: What to know about this illness

Some cases also originate in areas where they are difficult to detect — including the mouth, throat and nasal cavity.

Dr. Michael Whitlow, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, reiterated that Merkel cell carcinoma can look somewhat nondescript and is often missed. Studies have shown that a virus called Merkel cell polyomavirus is associated with about 80% of MCC cases. Prognosis and treatment are based on the stage of the cancer, its location on the body, the patient’s age and health, and whether it's a first-time cancer or a recurrence, according to the National Cancer Institute. The standard treatments for MCC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

For those whose cancer has started to spread to nearby areas or lymph nodes, the survival rate is 61%.

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