Residents of Vero Beach and the greater Treasure Coast are known for enjoying an active, outdoor lifestyle. However, a recent medical feature from Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital highlights the critical need for vigilance regarding skin health, specifically concerning a rare and aggressive form of cancer that has impacted local families.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), the disease that claimed the life of singer Jimmy Buffett, is gaining attention in the medical community. While rare—with only about 3,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States—it is statistically more deadly than melanoma, with one in three patients succumbing to the disease. Locally, Dr. Ellis Ziel, a radiation oncologist at the Scully Welsh Cancer Center in Vero Beach, is helping residents navigate this difficult diagnosis.
According to Dr. Ziel, the primary risk factor for MCC is sun exposure, making this a particularly relevant health topic for Floridians. The cancer often presents as a painless, rapidly growing nodule that can be easily mistaken for a benign cyst, bug bite, or pimple.
“This typically affects older individuals, and sun exposure is the main risk factor. There’s also an association with the Merkel cell polyomavirus, which is present on the skin of most adults but usually remains harmless.”
The danger of MCC lies in its subtlety and speed. It can spread to lymph nodes or become metastatic before a patient realizes the severity of the blemish. For local resident Tim LaGue, what started as a small growth on his forehead quickly expanded to the size of a quarter. Following a diagnosis around Thanksgiving of last year, LaGue underwent surgery requiring a skin graft and a regimen of adjuvant radiation therapy at the Scully Welsh Cancer Center to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Treatment and Recovery in Vero Beach
The proximity of high-level care at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital allows patients like LaGue to receive comprehensive treatment without leaving the county. Dr. Ziel noted that for early-stage, localized cancers, treatment typically involves:
- Surgical Excision: Removing the lesion with wide margins of healthy tissue.
- Lymph Node Dissection: Checking to ensure the cancer has not spread.
- Radiation Therapy: Often added to reduce recurrence risk by up to 65 percent.
Navigating Illness During the Holidays
The LaGue family’s journey also sheds light on the emotional toll of battling a severe illness during the holiday season. Darlene LaGue, Tim’s wife and a cancer survivor herself, emphasized the importance of modifying expectations. For families in Indian River County facing similar health battles, the LaGues offer advice on finding joy through simplicity:
- Scale Down Traditions: Focus on small moments rather than grand gestures.
- Limit Visitors: Protect the patient’s energy and immune system by restricting the number and duration of visits.
- Accept Help: Allow family and friends to organize meal trains or handle errands.
The story has a positive conclusion for the Vero Beach couple. After a difficult 2024, Tim LaGue has fully recovered, celebrating a return to normalcy with a large family Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Dr. Ellis Ziel continues to treat patients at the Scully Welsh Cancer Center, located at 3555 10th Court, Vero Beach. Residents concerned about unusual skin growths are encouraged to seek professional evaluation immediately, as early detection remains the most effective tool in treating aggressive skin cancers like MCC.
