"Margaritaville" singer Jimmy Buffett died of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, according to a tribute posted on his official website.
The 76-year-old music icon was diagnosed with the disease 4 years ago and had been undergoing treatment.
Merkel cell carcinoma is incredibly rare, Madan told MedPage Today. He may see a patient diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma once every few years, while he may see a patient diagnosed with melanoma, a much more common form of skin cancer, once a week.
In fact, there are only around 2,000 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society. As for the most common forms of skin cancer, there are some 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers diagnosed each year in about 3.3 million Americans.
"I think the big thing here is, it is more aggressive," Madan said. "We don't know exactly why it is more aggressive."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/106201
The 76-year-old music icon was diagnosed with the disease 4 years ago and had been undergoing treatment.
Merkel cell carcinoma is incredibly rare, Madan told MedPage Today. He may see a patient diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma once every few years, while he may see a patient diagnosed with melanoma, a much more common form of skin cancer, once a week.
In fact, there are only around 2,000 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society. As for the most common forms of skin cancer, there are some 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers diagnosed each year in about 3.3 million Americans.
"I think the big thing here is, it is more aggressive," Madan said. "We don't know exactly why it is more aggressive."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/106201
