After battling skin cancer for four years before his death, "Margaritaville" singer Jimmy Buffett died on September 1, 2023, at age 76, from Merkel cell carcinoma, according to his website.
The singer continued to perform while receiving treatment. However, in recent weeks, his health started to decline.
Merkel cell carcinoma isn’t as common as other types of skin cancers, like melanoma or Basal cell carcinoma, and it tends to be more aggressive.
We spoke with University of Colorado Cancer Center member Maryam M. Asgari, MD, MPH, professor and endowed chair in the Department of Dermatology at the CU School of Medicine, about Buffett’s diagnosis and what people need to know about this rare skin cancer.