Malignant melanoma in the palate of a 3-month-old child.
BACKGROUND
Malignant mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is a rare cancer in adults that carries a grave prognosis. Three mucosal melanomas in pediatric patients have previously been reported.


METHODS
We present here the youngest case of malignant mucosal melanoma of the head and neck in a 3-month-old boy. He presented with a 2 x 2-mm-pigmented lesion on the anterior maxillary alveolus. The patient was treated with local excision alone.


RESULTS
The patient has remained disease free with regular follow-up for 117 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Based upon this case and the few cases reported in the literature, mucosal melanoma is a much less common disease in children than in adults. Further, juvenile mucosal melanoma displays a benign clinical behavior.
Owens
Jonathan M
JM
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Gomez
Jose A
JA
Byers
Robert M
RM
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment