[Skin tumors in children]

The presence of a congenital or acquired cutaneous lesion is a frequent reason for consultation in pediatric plastic surgery unit. The management of these lesions requires a good knowledge of specific diagnoses in children. This step is sometimes difficult because of the multiplicity of possible diagnosis. Some skin tumors may be the external sign of a general disease or an underlying malformation; those can change the overall prognosis and management and require to be properly identified. The decision of surgical excision depends on various criteria, including diagnosis but also the reconstruction possibilities. The timing of surgical treatment depends on the medical emergency of the tumor resection (benign tumor, spontaneously regressive tumor, risk of degeneration into malignancy), on the cosmetic and psychological impact but also on the growth or learning steps in child life. This article first provides an aid in the diagnosis of the most common or more characteristic skin tumors. The algorithm is principally based on the pigmentation aspect of the tumor. The age and conditions of the surgical management are specified for each type of tumor. Cutaneous hemangiomas and vascular malformations, and congenital cysts and fistulas are not reported in this article.