Rare Skin Cancers
Treatment available at our Madrid clinics at Calle Serrano 143 and La Moraleja
Recognised reference clinics in Spain
Home > Skin Cancer > Rare Skin Cancers
What sets us apart
A specialised approach to complex skin tumours
We provide specialised care for rare skin tumours, integrating advanced diagnostic technologies with personalised treatment strategies. Tools such as confocal microscopy and digital dermoscopy enable accurate diagnosis, including at early stages. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with surgeons and oncologists to define the most appropriate therapeutic approach for each case, combining surgery, immunotherapy and radiotherapy when indicated. This coordinated approach allows the management of complex tumours with a strong focus on clinical safety and precision.
Key characteristics
A guide to understanding less common skin cancers
There are several types of rare skin tumours that tend to behave more aggressively or present with non-specific symptoms. As a result, they often have a poorer prognosis than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
These tumours include sarcomas, which may grow very rapidly, as well as lymphomas, which generally have a good prognosis when confined to the skin but may be more serious when they represent the first sign of a systemic lymphoma.
It is important to note that these rare skin tumours usually present as solitary nodular lesions located in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, meaning they arise at a deeper level than more common types of skin cancer. They tend to progress more rapidly and are typically neither itchy nor painful. For this reason, they are often detected incidentally during medical consultations for other reasons or as part of diagnostic tests performed for unrelated conditions.
For this reason, the Grupo Pedro Jaén Skin Cancer Unit places particular emphasis on advanced imaging diagnostics and regular skin examinations, which are essential for selecting the most appropriate treatment for each case. Among the less common skin tumours, the following are particularly noteworthy:
Kaposi’s sarcoma
Kaposi’s sarcoma is a very rare form of skin cancer that originates in the blood vessels supplying the skin. It typically presents as reddish or purplish patches affecting the skin and mucosal surfaces. Patients most susceptible to Kaposi’s sarcoma are those with a severely weakened immune system.
Merkel cell carcinoma
Also known as neuroendocrine carcinoma or trabecular carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare skin tumour that affects Merkel cells. These cells are located in the upper layers of the skin, close to nerve endings involved in the sense of touch.
It usually presents as a single, rapidly growing nodule that is red or purplish in colour, painless and firm on palpation. The tumour typically arises in sun-exposed areas such as the head, neck, arms, legs and trunk, and has a high tendency to spread quickly to other parts of the body. It is the second leading cause of skin cancer-related mortality, after melanoma.
Sebaceous carcinoma
Sebaceous carcinoma is a very rare but highly aggressive type of skin cancer. Although it can occur anywhere on the body, it most commonly develops on the eyelids. This location often leads to misdiagnosis, as it may resemble small benign sebaceous cysts. Clinically, it appears as a firm, yellowish nodule. In its early stages, sebaceous carcinoma is usually painless, but as it progresses it may ulcerate, ooze or bleed.
“The Grupo Pedro Jaén Skin Cancer Unit has dermatologists specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of complex and rare skin cancers”
More information
Below you will find the authorship and references for the information provided on this page:
Authorship and references
The content of this page has been prepared by the Communication Department and the Medical Team of Grupo Pedro Jaén, in line with our editorial commitment to ensuring the accuracy and up-to-date nature of the information provided.
References on rare skin cancers:
1. Lebbe C, Garbe C, Stratigos AJ, Harwood C, Peris K, Marmol VD, Malvehy J, Zalaudek I, Hoeller C, Dummer R, Forsea AM, Kandolf-Sekulovic L, Olah J, Arenberger P, Bylaite-Bucinskiene M, Vieira R, Middleton M, Levy A, Eggermont AM, Battistella M, Spano JP, Grob JJ, Pages C; European Dermatology Forum (EDF), the European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Diagnosis and treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma: European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline (EDF/EADO/EORTC). Eur J Cancer. 2019 Jun;114:117-127. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.12.036. Epub 2019 May 13. PMID: 31096150.
2. Brambilla L, Genovese G, Berti E, Peris K, Rongioletti F, Micali G, Ayala F, Della Bella S, Mancuso R, Calzavara Pinton P, Tourlaki A. Diagnosis and treatment of classic and iatrogenic Kaposi’s sarcoma: Italian recommendations. Ital J Dermatol Venerol. 2021 Jun;156(3):356-365. doi: 10.23736/S2784-8671.20.06703-6. Epub 2020 Nov 12. PMID: 33179877.
3. Becker JC, Stang A, DeCaprio JA, Cerroni L, Lebbé C, Veness M, Nghiem P. Merkel cell carcinoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Oct 26;3:17077. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.77. PMID: 29072302; PMCID: PMC6054450.
4. Xue Y, Thakuria M. Merkel Cell Carcinoma Review. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2019 Feb;33(1):39-52. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.08.002. PMID: 30497676.
5. Walsh NM, Cerroni L. Merkel cell carcinoma: A review. J Cutan Pathol. 2021 Mar;48(3):411-421. doi: 10.1111/cup.13910. Epub 2020 Dec 3. PMID: 33128463.
6. Naseri S, Steiniche T, Ladekarl M, Langer LR, Tabaksblat E, Junker N, Chakera AH. [Merkel cell carcinoma]. Ugeskr Laeger. 2021 Jul 26;183(30):V03210260. Danish. PMID: 34356025.
7. Cornejo C, Miller CJ. Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Updates on Staging and Management. Dermatol Clin. 2019 Jul;37(3):269-277. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.03.001. Epub 2019 Apr 19. PMID: 31084721.
8. Pulitzer M. Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Surg Pathol Clin. 2017 Jun;10(2):399-408. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2017.01.013. Epub 2017 Mar 14. PMID: 28477888; PMCID: PMC5443625.
9. Coggshall K, Tello TL, North JP, Yu SS. Merkel cell carcinoma: An update and review: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and staging. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Mar;78(3):433-442. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.001. Epub 2017 Dec 9. PMID: 29229574.
10. Owen JL, Kibbi N, Worley B, Kelm RC, Wang JV, Barker CA, Behshad R, Bichakjian CK, Bolotin D, Bordeaux JS, Bradshaw SH, Cartee TV, Chandra S, Cho NL, Choi JN, Council ML, Demirci H, Eisen DB, Esmaeli B, Golda N, Huang CC, Ibrahim SF, Jiang SB, Kim J, Kuzel TM, Lai SY, Lawrence N, Lee EH, Leitenberger JJ, Maher IA, Mann MW, Minkis K, Mittal BB, Nehal KS, Neuhaus IM, Ozog DM, Petersen B, Rotemberg V, Samant S, Samie FH, Servaes S, Shields CL, Shin TM, Sobanko JF, Somani AK, Stebbins WG, Thomas JR, Thomas VD, Tse DT, Waldman AH, Wong MK, Xu YG, Yu SS, Zeitouni NC, Ramsay T, Reynolds KA, Poon E, Alam M. Sebaceous carcinoma: evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Lancet Oncol. 2019 Dec;20(12):e699-e714. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30673-4. PMID: 31797796.
11. Gall R, Ortiz-Perez S. Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma. 2022 Jan 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 32965894.
Where we see patients?
Clinics in Madrid
Grupo Pedro Jaén is a medical group founded more than three decades ago with the aim of providing medical, surgical and aesthetic solutions related to skin health and appearance. Led by Dr Pedro Jaén, the group has a highly specialised medical team that covers every area of care with top-level specialists, carries out extensive training activities, is a leader in medical research, and operates several clinics in Madrid, from which it offers the highest standards of care and clinical excellence to all patients.
Calle Serrano 143
This centre is the main headquarters of Grupo Pedro Jaén. It provides diagnostic and treatment services in skin cancer, clinical and aesthetic dermatology, laser treatments and other related specialties.
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 21:00 / Sat: 09:00 - 14:00
Calle Serrano 143, El Viso neighbourhood, Chamartín district, 28006 Madrid, Spain
La Moraleja
Located in Plaza de La Moraleja, this exclusive centre allows Grupo Pedro Jaén to bring its medical and aesthetic services closer to patients across the entire northern area of Madrid.
Mon - Thu: 09:30 - 20:00 / Fri: 09:30 - 18:00
Calle de la Estafeta 8, ground floor, La Moraleja, 28109 Alcobendas, Madrid
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Information and news
Press room
In the Grupo Pedro Jaén Press Room you can find information, advice and news related to dermatology, aesthetic medicine, trichology and general health. The group’s journals are also shared through an online platform, along with updates on the activity and media appearances of our clinics and healthcare professionals.
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Blog
News about Grupo Pedro Jaén. Information and advice on dermatology, aesthetic medicine, trichology, and general health
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