Malignant melanoma in childhood

Malignant melanoma (MM) is rare in childhood. We report 24 cases of MM in children 16 years old or less, whose histopathological specimens were referred to our department from 1981 to 1993. In only three cases was the diagnosis of MM made clinically. In some cases histological distinction from benign Spitz naevi was difficult, but other cases were referred because of a reluctance to diagnose MM in a child. One child died of disseminated disease, two developed nodal metastases and two developed local recurrence. Of all the lesions, the one which was considered to show the least difference from a benign naevus histologically occurred in the child who died. Awareness that MM, although rare, does occur in childhood, is vital. However, diagnosis is difficult, both clinically and histopathologically.