[Malignant melanoma in children. Apropos of 6 cases]

Six cases of malignant melanoma were observed in children aged 5-14 years, over a 14-year period: both sexes were equally affected. In three cases, the melanoma was a primary tumor, which indicates that this diagnosis should always be born in mind in children and any suspicious lesion should be biopsied and removed. Three cases had a family history: dysplastic naevus in two cases and malignant melanoma in one case, which confirms the increased risk in some families. Histologically, nodular forms were more frequent than those which spread superficially and the tumors were quite thick when diagnosed (mean thickness: 3.9 mm). Treatment includes wide excision and coverage with skin grafts associated with immuno or chemotherapy in some cases. Mean follow-up was 38 months and no death occurred during this period.