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Childhood melanoma survival
N C Saenz1, J Saenz-Badillos, K Busam
1Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Cancer
|March 26, 1999
Summary
Childhood melanoma is rare but carries significant mortality risk, similar to adults. Early diagnosis and stage at presentation are critical for survival in pediatric melanoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Dermatology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Childhood melanoma is an uncommon malignancy.
- Previous beliefs suggested a better prognosis for pediatric melanoma compared to adult cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of melanoma in pediatric patients.
- To compare the prognosis of childhood melanoma with that of adult melanoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 40 pediatric melanoma patients (under 18 years) treated between 1950 and 1984.
- Dermatopathological review of all slides by a single, blinded expert.
- Long-term follow-up data collection for survival analysis.
Main Results:
- 57% of patients survived at median 18-year follow-up; 41% died of melanoma.
- Melanoma arising in congenital nevi and advanced stage at presentation were associated with poorer outcomes.
- Five-year survival was 78% for localized disease versus 30% for regional metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric melanoma patients face a substantial risk of mortality.
- Survival rates are comparable to adult melanoma and are strongly dependent on the stage at diagnosis.
- The survival advantage seen in adult females was not observed in this pediatric cohort.