[Neonatal melanoma arising in a giant congenital nevus].
BACKGROUND
Malignant melanoma arising in giant congenital nevus is a well known but rare event.


METHODS
A 15 day-old boy with giant congenital nevus all over the left leg was seen for a 6 mm red and bleeding nodule inside the nevus on the inner thigh. Histopathology showed spindle cell malignant melanoma. A 3 cm edge surgical excision was performed with a favorable outcome which persists 5 years later.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of malignant melanoma is always very difficult in a child, unless metastasis occurs. Histopathologic modifications of childhood malignant melanomas are discussed. Development of malignant melanoma in giant congenital nevus would not appear to exceed 5 p. 100. Nevertheless, early surgical excision is recommended because the nevus is smaller and skin mobilization is easier at this age.
Benoit-Durafour
F
F
Service de Dermatologie, Pr F. Cambazard, Hôpital Nord, Faculté de Médecine Jacques Lisfranc, CHU de St-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne Cedex 02.
Michel
J L
JL
Godard
W
W
Chalencon
V
V
Marzzocchi
C
C
Chalencon
F
F
Cambazard
F
F
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology*; D009506:Nevus / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*