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Comparative Study
. 2018 May;35(3):354-360.
doi: 10.1111/pde.13454. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

Contrasting features of childhood and adolescent melanomas

Diana W Bartenstein  1   2   3 , Cassandra M Kelleher  1   4 , Alison M Friedmann  1   5 , Lyn M Duncan  1   6 , Hensin Tsao  1   3 , Arthur J Sober  1   3 , Elena B Hawryluk  1   3
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Contrasting features of childhood and adolescent melanomas

Diana W Bartenstein et al. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018 May.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Melanoma in children and adolescents is uncommon, and there are limited data on pediatric outcomes. Several studies have shown comparable survival rates in children and adults, but other research demonstrates that prepubescent children have more favorable outcomes. This study aims to compare childhood and adolescent melanoma.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of children who received a melanoma diagnosis at the Massachusetts General Hospital between January 1, 1995, and December 21, 2016. Childhood melanoma is defined as disease occurring in patients younger than 11 years old, and adolescent melanoma is defined as disease occurring in patients 11 to 19 years old. Patients diagnosed with ocular melanoma and borderline tumors of uncertain malignant potential were excluded. This analysis compares clinical, histopathologic, and outcome characteristics of childhood and adolescent melanoma.

Results: Thirty-two children with melanoma were identified (12 children, 20 adolescents). The spitzoid melanoma subtype was significantly more common in children (6/12) than adolescents (2/20) (P = .01). Four adolescents and no children with melanoma died from melanoma, and survival was significantly different between the age groups (P = .04). Median follow-up time for survivors was 3.6 years.

Conclusions: These results suggest that children and adolescents present with different melanoma subtypes and that adolescents have a more aggressive disease course than children.

Keywords: bumps; lumps; malignant; neoplasms.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Kaplan-Meier survival curve according to age group (Censored observations indicate maximum follow-up time for living patients)
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Kaplan-Meier survival curve according to melanoma subtype (Censored observations indicate maximum follow-up time for living patients)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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