title: Indications for excision of nevi and melanoma diagnosed in a pediatric surgical unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Childhood melanoma is rare but increasing in incidence. Its management relies on early diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to discuss surgical indications of nevi and diagnosis of melanoma in a pediatric surgical unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data relative to the patients who underwent removal of nevi in our pediatric surgical unit from 1999 to 2005 were reviewed to identify indications, histology, and melanoma occurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent indication was atypical nevus. Compound nevus was the most common finding, followed by congenital and Spitz nevi. Melanoma was diagnosed in 3 excised nevi, and in 1 case it occurred as a metastatic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data showed a pattern of indications for surgery similar to that described in the literature, with a high detection rate of melanoma, nonetheless showing that some rare conditions may delay diagnosis.
authors: Paediatric Surgery Unit, Salesi Children's Hospital, Ancona, Italy. andreazangari@libero.it
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Zangari
authors: Maria Luisa
authors: ML
authors: Bernardini
authors: Rosella
authors: R
authors: Tallarico
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Ilari
authors: Mirella
authors: M
authors: Giangiacomi
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Offidani
authors: Ascanio
authors: A
authors: Martino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009506:Nevus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*