Newly discovered virus, and stronly associated with Merkel cell carcinoma, is a member of the polyoma family. This cancer is most often found in immunocompromised persons, such as those afflicted by AIDS or taking organ transplant drugs which suppress the immune system.
According to the NY Times, this is the 7th virus linked to human cancers. (The others are Hep B & C with liver cancer, papilloma virus to cervical cancer, EBV with nose and pharynx cancer, and HTLV-1 to Human T cell leukemia.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/health/research/18virus.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=virus&oref=slogin
-Rebecca
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4 comments:
my husband died at 46 10 mos after being diagnosed with merkel cell. his tumor was on his behind and rarely went in the sun. The cancer grew faster than the Chemo could kill it. This is a dangerous very aggressive cancer.The doctors did not diagnose the cancer from the tumor. They really need to educate themselves and put the word out there. He was first seen 6 mos before and was told it was nothing. within 6 mos he was stage 4, Chemo killed it but within 3 weeks of stopping treatment it was back with force he died 5 months later.
my mom died of mcc just over 2 years ago. Her's too was missed diagnosed for at least 8 weeks.She did well with radiation and chemo (as far as the tumor was concerned) After being cancer free for 3 months, it returned, in her liver, I second guess myself and the doctors. More research needs to be done. Also, make local and general dr.'s aware. My mom would have had a better chance if she hadn't been treated for a cyst for 8 weeks.
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