Pediatric melanoma: a review.

BACKGROUND

Malignant melanoma is a rare neoplasm in the pediatric population, but its incidence has risen in recent years.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed to define the current clinical and pathologic features of pediatric melanoma, highlighting the similarities and differences between adult and pediatric melanoma.

RESULTS

Distinctive features of this disease, including frequency and type of genetic abnormalities, predisposing conditions, clinical presentation, stage at diagnosis, prognostic features, and frequency of sentinel lymph node positivity are emphasized. Treatment strategies, extrapolated from adult melanoma trials, are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the differences between pediatric and adult melanoma, survival rates are similar and are improving in both populations. Further studies will help delineate the pathogenesis of both adult and pediatric melanoma, with the goal of contributing to early detection and improved survival.