Remembering Jimmy Buffett: Understanding Merkel Cell Carcinoma

The news

Jimmy Buffett — the singer-songwriter whose "Margaritaville" became a way of life for millions of Parrotheads — died on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76. His official website and subsequent reporting shared that he had been living with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer, for four years, and that he continued to perform during treatment, playing his final shows while ill.

Beyond what his family and representatives shared, the details of his care were private, and this piece keeps to the public record.

Why people are talking about it

Almost nobody had heard of Merkel cell carcinoma before September 2023. After Buffett's death, searches for it — and for skin cancer generally — spiked worldwide. For a man whose music celebrated life in the sun, the story carried a poignant awareness message his fans have continued to share: love the beach, and protect your skin while you're there.

What this cancer means

According to the National Cancer Institute, Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare type of cancer that forms in the skin. Merkel cells sit in the top layer of the skin, close to nerve endings that receive the sensation of touch; the cancer — also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin — forms when these cells grow out of control.

NCI notes that Merkel cell carcinoma starts most often on sun-exposed skin, especially the head and neck, and that it tends to grow quickly and spread early — first to nearby lymph nodes, then potentially to distant parts of the body. Despite being rare, it is the second most common cause of skin cancer death after melanoma.

NCI describes its typical appearance as a single lump on sun-exposed skin that is fast-growing, painless, firm and dome-shaped or raised, and red or violet in color.

Awareness, screening & prevention

NCI lists sun exposure — natural or artificial, including tanning beds — among the risk factors for Merkel cell carcinoma, along with having a weakened immune system, a history of other cancers, and being older than 50, male, or White. It also notes the cancer can develop in people with no known risk factors.

The practical takeaways are familiar and worth repeating: protect your skin from UV radiation, skip tanning beds, and check with a doctor about any skin change — especially a new, fast-growing, painless lump. Our pages on sun safety and skin cancer screening cover the basics, and our free screening check-up tool can show which screenings are generally recommended at your age.

Common questions

Is Merkel cell carcinoma the same as melanoma? No. Both are skin cancers and both can be serious, but they start in different cells. NCI notes melanoma causes the most skin cancer deaths, with Merkel cell carcinoma second.

How would I even notice it? Per NCI, usually as a single painless, firm, fast-growing lump — often red or violet — on sun-exposed skin. Painless is the tricky part: it's easy to ignore what doesn't hurt.

Should I panic about every bump? No. Skin changes have many causes. The habit that matters is simple: new or changing spots and lumps get shown to a doctor, not watched indefinitely.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• How often should my skin be professionally examined, given my history and sun exposure?
• What should I look for when checking my own skin — and how do I check spots I can't see?
• Do my medications or health conditions affect my immune system and my skin cancer risk?
• What sun protection habits matter most for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors?