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Published on: September 7, 2013
Risk factors and outcomes of melanoma in children and adolescents: A retrospective multicenter study
Elena B Hawryluk1, Danna Moustafa2, Kelly K Barry3
1Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Dermatology Section, Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background:
Pediatric melanoma presents with distinct clinical features compared to adult disease.
Objective:
Characterize risk factors and negative outcomes in pediatric melanoma.
Methods:
Multicenter retrospective study of patients under 20 years diagnosed with melanoma between January 1, 1995 and June 30, 2015 from 11 academic medical centers.
Results:
Melanoma was diagnosed in 317 patients, 73% of whom were diagnosed in adolescence (age ≥11). Spitzoid (31%) and superficial spreading (26%) subtypes were most common and 11% of cases arose from congenital nevi. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 68% of cases and positive in 46%. Fatality was observed in 7% of cases. Adolescent patients with melanoma were more likely to have family history of melanoma (P = .046) compared to controls.
Limitations:
Retrospective nature, cohort size, control selection, and potential referral bias.
Conclusion:
Pediatric melanoma has diverse clinical presentations. Better understanding of these cases and outcomes may facilitate improved risk stratification of pediatric melanoma.
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