Malignant melanoma in children

Abstract

Two cases of malignant melanoma with metastases in children are reported, (boy—2 years; girl—11 years). From these 2 cases and from 43 previously reported cases in the literature it appears that the disease is at least as aggressive in children as in adults. The 3-year survival rate in children compares with the 5-year survival rate in adults at a similar stage in the disease. Special attention is drawn to the relatively high likelihood of malignant melanomas arising in pre-existing nevus pigmentosus giganticus and the poor prognosis in these cases, probably due to difficult and hence late diagnosis.