Virus linked to rare skin cancer
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
A newly discovered virus may play a role in the development of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and lethal skin cancer, University of Pittsburgh researchers reported Friday in the journal Science.
The virus, Merkel cell polyomavirus, was uncovered in 80% of cancerous tumors and 8% of comparison tissue. Another analysis suggested the cells were infected before they became cancerous, showing the virus may be involved in the process, the researchers said.
