title: A case of spitzoid melanoma with lymph node metastasis in a child.
abstract: The distinction of a spitz nevus from a melanoma can be difficult and in some cases, impossible. A misdiagnosed spitz nevus can metastasize and lead to fatal outcomes, especially in children. A 5-yr-old girl presented with a 1-yr history of a solitary pinkish nodule on her left hand. On physical examination, she had a palpable left axillary lymph node. We performed biopsy and checked 3 sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) on her axillary area. The biopsy specimen showed multiple variably sized and shaped nests with large spindle or polygonal cells and SLN biopsy showed 3 of 3 lymph nodes that were metastasized. Under the diagnosis of spitzoid melanoma, she was treated with excision biopsy and complete left axillary lymph nodes were dissected. She received interferon-α2b subcutaneously at a dose of 8 MIU per day, 3 times weekly for 12 months, and shows no recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Yeob
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyo Hyun
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Young Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Kye
authors.forename: Soo Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Seo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins