Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment in India
About Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Key Highlights
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Multidisciplinary Management: Coordinated care involving surgical, radiation, and medical oncology for a comprehensive approach.Advanced Immunotherapy Options: Access to cutting-edge systemic treatments like PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors that can be highly effective for advanced stages.Personalized Treatment Plans: Therapy is tailored based on precise staging (including sentinel lymph node biopsy) and individual patient factors.listrongFocus on Local and Regional Control:/strong Combination of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence./lilistrongSpecialized Expertise:/strong Care from an oncologist specializing in rare skin cancers ensures up-to-date, evidence-based management./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of a new, rapidly growing, painless, firm nodule on sun-exposed skin (common sites: head, neck, limbs).
- Confirmed Merkel Cell Carcinoma via biopsy (positive for cytokeratin 20 and other specific markers).
- Localized disease requiring wide local excision and potential sentinel lymph node biopsy.
- High-risk features post-surgery (e.g., positive margins, lymphovascular invasion, large tumor size) indicating need for adjuvant radiation therapy.
- Regionally advanced disease with involvement of lymph nodes.
- Metastatic (Stage IV) Merkel Cell Carcinoma requiring systemic therapy.
- Recurrent MCC after prior treatment.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive Staging: Undergo imaging tests (CT, PET-CT, or MRI) and sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine the exact stage of the cancer.
- Multidisciplinary Consultation: Meet with the surgical, radiation, and medical oncology team to discuss the integrated treatment plan.
- Medical Optimization: Review of all medications, management of other health conditions (like heart or lung disease), and pre-anesthesia check-up if surgery is planned.
- Baseline Blood Tests: Complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests to assess fitness for treatment.
- Patient Education: Detailed discussion about the treatment sequence, potential side effects, and the importance of follow-up care.
- Lifestyle Preparations: Arrange for support during treatment, plan for time off work, and address nutritional needs.
Risks & possible complications
- Surgery-related: Infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, scarring, nerve damage leading to numbness or weakness, and lymphedema (especially after lymph node dissection).
- Radiation Therapy-related: Skin irritation (redness, peeling, ulceration), fatigue, long-term skin changes (fibrosis, discoloration), and rare damage to nearby structures.
- Systemic Therapy-related (Immunotherapy/Chemotherapy): Immune-related adverse events (e.g., colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, endocrine disorders), fatigue, nausea, decreased blood cell counts, and infusion reactions.
- General Treatment Risks: Incomplete removal or control of cancer leading to local recurrence or metastasis.
- Psychological Impact: Anxiety, depression, and stress associated with a cancer diagnosis and intensive treatment.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Post-Surgical Care: Wound care as instructed, monitoring for signs of infection, and gradual return to activity as tolerated. Physical therapy may be needed if lymphedema develops.
- During/F Post-Radiation: Meticulous skin care using recommended creams, managing fatigue, and protecting the treated area from sun exposure.
- During Systemic Therapy: Regular monitoring for side effects through blood tests and clinic visits. Prompt reporting of any new symptoms (like severe diarrhea, cough, or rash) to the oncology team.
- Long-term Follow-up: Requires vigilant, lifelong surveillance with regular skin and lymph node exams by a dermatologist and oncologist, along with periodic imaging as recommended, due to the high risk of recurrence.
- Supportive Care: Nutritional support, pain management, and access to counseling or support groups to address emotional well-being are integral parts of recovery.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-5 days (highly variable)
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Expected recovery time:
Several weeks to months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering merkel cell carcinoma in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for merkel cell carcinoma in India include Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Miot Hospital Chennai, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform merkel cell carcinoma. MediFyr helps you compare oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for merkel cell carcinoma compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Merkel Cell Carcinoma in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated oncologist teams and experience managing patients undergoing merkel cell carcinoma.
Kolkata, India
72 Doctors
I'd been to a few doctors...
I'd been to a few doctors for this persistent stomach pain, and everyone just said it was stress. Dr. Jayaraman was different. He actually listened, asked a ton of questions I hadn't been asked before, and ordered some specific tests others hadn't. Turns out it was a tricky gallbladder issue, not just 'stress.' He explained it all with a diagram on his notepad. I felt heard for the first time.
Oncologists for Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Explore experienced oncologists who regularly perform merkel cell carcinoma and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Miot Hospital Chennai
- 5 Years Experience
- Medical Oncologist
Miot Hospital Chennai
- 26 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur
- 20 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur
- 12 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur
- 10 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur
- 17 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road
- 12 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road
- 12 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield
- 16 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield
- 22 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road
- 34 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road
- 28 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road
- 31 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore
- 24 Years Experience
- Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada
- 20 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada
- 18 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada