Shocking time-lapse video reveals skin cancer progression

Fast-growing and deadly skin cancer

A shocking time-lapse video has been released, showing the rapid development of merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) over just six weeks. MCC is a fast-growing type of skin cancer that starts in the Merkel cells, which are usually in the top layer of the skin. The video, generated by AI, demonstrates how a tiny red mark morphs into a raised, lumpy, deep red-purple lesion measuring about 3 inches wide, progressing from stage one cancer to stage four.

Rare but dangerous

MCC is considered very rare, with only about 1,500 people diagnosed in England between 1999 and 2008. However, it is three to five times more deadly than melanoma, another type of skin cancer. MCC can develop much more quickly over weeks and months before spreading to other parts of the body like the lungs or bones.

Recognizing the symptoms

The most common symptom of MCC is a lump on the skin, often appearing on areas of the body that receive the most sunlight, such as the head, neck, arms, and legs. These lumps are typically bluish red in color, less than 0.8 inches across, and firm to the touch. Specialized testing can determine the stage of MCC, with stages one to four indicating the size and spread of the cancer.