The music legend Jimmy Buffett departed this life on Friday, aged 76.
He succumbed to "merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)", a condition he battled for a span of four years, as mentioned in the official memorial notice on his personal website.
According to the "Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF)", MCC is an infrequent yet potent form of skin cancer, notorious for its propensity to recur and metastasize.
Each year in the U.S., approximately 3,000 cases are identified. By 2025, this figure is projected to increase to 3,250.
The ailment is 40 times less common than melanoma, as indicated by the SCF on their website.
Who's at risk?
The main trigger for Merkel cell carcinoma is "excessive exposure to natural or artificial sunlight," as stated by the Mayo Clinic.
However, certain populations face elevated risks.
Individuals with weakened immune systems, either due to specific health conditions or particular immunosuppressive medications, might be more prone to contracting this disease, according to the SCF.
Immunocompromised individuals have a 15-fold higher chance of being diagnosed with MCC compared to those with robust immune systems.
A prior record of various skin cancers — encompassing melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma — elevates the risk.
The SCF reveals that the majority diagnosed with MCC are men aged above 50.
Those with lighter skin tones also stand at an elevated risk of acquiring this condition.
What to look for
The prevalent indication of MCC is a lustrous or pearly skin bump or lesion, typically found on sun-exposed regions, as mentioned by the SCF.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive form of skin cancer with a high risk for returning (recurring) and spreading (metastasizing), often within two to three years after initial diagnosis. MCC risk factors include sun exposure, fair skin, age over 50, etc. pic.twitter.com/EBadMutORS
— Journal of Cancer Research, Treatment & Prevention (@JofCancerPrev) January 23, 2023
These non-painful growths are typically around 1.7 centimeters in diameter — roughly the dimensions of a dime — upon discovery.
As described by the SCF, these lesions exhibit colors ranging from the hue of the skin, red, purple, to bluish-red.
These growths tend to enlarge quickly.
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