Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) - A rare entity

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy is a rare pigmented pediatric tumor seen at craniofacial sites with the most common site being maxilla. This tumor arises from neural crest origin with a polyphenotypic expression of epithelial, neuroblastic, and melanotic markers. It is a locally aggressive tumor with rapid, expansile, and destructive growth. The tumor has fairly high chances of recurrence and malignant transformation, if not diagnosed and treated with time. There is no standard protocol for management owing to its rarity. Hereby, we present one such case of a 2-month-old male child with rapidly enlarging upper jaw swelling. The patient was treated with wide local excision, followed by two cycles of chemotherapy. The patient is in follow-up and doing well with no evidence of any local recurrence or metastasis till date.