Pediatric skin tumors

Abstract

This article summarizes several malignant childhood neoplasms and benign tumors that can mimic malignancies. Because malignant skin tumors are rare in children, parents and physicians often are not sufficiently suspicious to ensure that an early diagnosis can be made. Many malignant skin tumors have features that suggest a vascular or hemangioma-like lesion. Because hemangiomas occur in 10% of infants, it is often considered prudent to adopt a wait-and-see attitude; however, if the lesion is too firm to be a hemangioma or its growth pattern does not follow that of a typical hemangioma, additional options should be considered. To manage childhood skin malignancies, one needs expert consultation, early biopsy, and correct histopathologic interpretation.