Touchy Subjects
This mechanoreceptor, found in the basal epidermis, lets you feel the ridges of a coin or Braille.
What are Merkel Cell?
This is the most common skin cancer, usually caused by UV light.
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
The “AEIOU” mnemonic for MCC includes this “A,” meaning the lesion is painless.
What is Asymptomatic?
The first-line treatment for localized Stage I–II MCC.
What is surgical excision (often Mohs)?
A flat lesion <1 cm (like a freckle).
What is a macule?
Found in dermal papillae, these corpuscles of your skin sense light touch and low-frequency vibration.
What are Meissner corpuscles?
The “middle child” of skin cancers, caused by UV, HPV, or immunosuppression, and often found on the lips/ears.
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Immunohistochemistry of Merkel cell carcinoma is positive for CK20, synaptophysin, and CD56. Which common marker for adenocarcinoma is it usually negative for?
What is CK7?
Adjuvant radiation therapy is used at this stage of MCC to lower recurrence.
What is Stage I–II (localized disease)?
A raised lesion >1 cm, broad and flat like a plateau.
What is a plaque?
These “onion-shaped” receptors are buried deep and detect pressure changes, like when you slam your phone down.
What are Pacinian corpuscles?
This cancer is rare (~2,500 US cases/year), highly aggressive, and linked to a polyomavirus.
What is Merkel Cell Carcinoma?
This surgical technique is often used to ensure complete removal with immediate margin control.
What is Mohs surgery?
Name one immune checkpoint inhibitor used in advanced MCC.
What is pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or avelumab?
Mrs. Henry’s 1 cm firm bump is best classified as this lesion.
What is a nodule?
These receptors detect skin stretch and sustained pressure.
What are Ruffini endings?
Known as the deadliest skin cancer, this malignancy loves mutations in BRAF.
What is Melanoma?
This biopsy procedure checks for spread to regional lymph nodes, which MCC loves to do early.
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
In Stage III MCC, treatment expands beyond surgery and radiation to include this systemic therapy.
What is immunotherapy?
A fluid-filled lesion <1 cm is called this.
What is a vesicle?
These nerve endings are free to cause you pain—literally.
What are free nerve endings?
True or False: Basal cell carcinoma is more likely to metastasize than Merkel cell carcinoma.
What is False?
A painless purple-red nodule on the cheek of a 72-year-old man grows rapidly. Biopsy reveals CK20+ and TP53 mutation. Is this most likely MCPyV-positive or MCPyV-negative MCC?
What is MCPyV-negative?
In Stage I MCC, the surgical excision margin should generally be at least how wide?
What is 1–2 cm?
This secondary lesion forms when the skin ulcerates and heals.
What is a scar?