Cutaneous malignant melanoma in children.
Although rare, malignant melanoma does occur in children. As in adults, prognosis clearly depends on rapid diagnosis and early treatment. This paper describes eight cases of confirmed malignant melanoma in children, with full case history and pathological findings. Mean follow-up was 109.8 months. Early diagnosis and low Breslow indices provide good results in the form of absence of recurrence and long-term survival prognosis. The paper also includes a discussion of specific risk factors affecting children. In order to encourage earlier diagnosis and improved prognosis, it must be kept in mind that in children too, the skin as an organ should be included in any physical examination.


CONCLUSIONS
As for adult patients, early clinical detection, speedy histological confirmation and prompt surgery is the only way to achieve a long survival period for children suffering from malignant melanoma.
Vandeweyer
E
E
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Sales
F
F
Deraemaecker
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014751:Vindesine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003606:Dacarbazine; D002945:Cisplatin; D014751:Vindesine