Childhood melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in the cells responsible for creating the skin’s color or tone.
Melanoma is the
Melanoma is associated with an overall high survival rate and a good outlook, particularly among children.
This article explains childhood melanoma, including its risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that forms in the melanocytes. The melanocytes make the pigment melanin, which colors the skin. Melanoma spreads rapidly to other cells.
Melanomas can appear anywhere on the skin. While adult melanoma is often brown or black, melanoma in children tends to be whitish, yellowish, or pink.
Doctors diagnose about
It can occur in young children but is most common in adolescents aged
Some common risk factors of childhood melanoma
- fair complexion, including blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair, or lighter skin tones
- presence of several moles
- family history of unusual moles or melanoma
- exposure to sunlight or artificial sunlight
- presence of several different conditions such as a weakened immune system, xeroderma pigmentosum, or hereditary retinoblastoma
Several symptoms could indicate melanoma in children. They
- changes in skin color
- development of a satellite mole, which is a smaller mole near an existing mole
- a mole that has an unusual shape or irregular borders and is asymmetrical
- a mole or wart-like bump that itches, bleeds, or oozes
- a skin lesion that changes appearance or contains multiple colors
Learn more about melanoma symptoms and how to identify them.
If caregivers notice an unusual mole or other skin changes, they should take the child to a doctor. They may refer the child to a specialist for diagnosis if they suspect melanoma.
The diagnostic process will involve a medical review of the child and family’s health history. The doctor will likely perform a physical examination, focusing mainly on the child’s skin.
Most doctors follow the ABCDE rule for evaluating skin lesions or moles:
- A is for asymmetry: One-half of the lesion is unlike the other half.
- B is for border: The lesion has an irregular, wavy, or poorly-defined border.
- C is for color: The lesion has multiple colors.
- D is for diameter: Most melanomas are at least 6 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser, when doctors diagnose them but can be smaller.
- E is for evolving: The lesion looks different from other spots on the skin and is changing in appearance.
If doctors suspect melanoma, they will order a biopsy of the lesion. Different types of biopsies
- Shave biopsy: A doctor uses a razor to remove the growth.
- Punch biopsy: A doctor uses a tool to take a small sample of tissue from the abnormal growth.
- Excisional biopsy: A doctor removes the whole area of abnormal growth.
- Incisional biopsy: A doctor uses a scalpel to remove part of the growth.
Like other cancers, doctors classify melanoma in stages. Advanced melanoma can spread to nearby lymph nodes and tissues or distant areas. A doctor may order tests to check for signs that the melanoma has spread.
These tests
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI produces a detailed image of different body parts.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan: The CT imaging scan produces a detailed picture of the body.
- Chest X-ray: This checks for cancer cells in the lungs, heart, or other areas.
- PET scan: PET uses a small amount of radioactive glucose to look for malignant cells that appear brighter on the scan.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: This is a biopsy of the lymph node to which melanoma is most likely to spread.
- Lymph node dissection: This involves examining the lymph nodes after removing them.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce a picture of the body.
Children with melanoma have several treatment options. They include standard treatments and those undergoing clinical trials. Standard treatments have
Some common treatments for melanoma include:
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses medications to teach the immune system to target and attack cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Doctors recommend chemotherapy if cancer has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
- Surgical removal: This involves removing the cancer and nearby lymph nodes.
- Radiation therapy: Doctors may use radiation therapy when cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
Caregivers interested in their child joining a clinical trial can talk with a doctor. They could also search for a clinical trial through the
Melanoma is often an aggressive skin cancer. However, children tend to have a better outlook compared to adults.
The 5-year survival rate refers to the proportion of people alive 5 years after receiving a diagnosis.
The overall 5-year survival rate for childhood melanoma is 90%. For cancer that spreads to the lymph nodes, around 60% of children will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
In a 2019 study examining survival rates over 18 years, researchers found an overall survival rate of 92%. Another study from
Children treated for melanoma have a higher chance of disease later in life. Regular medical checkups are necessary into adulthood.
Melanoma is the most common skin cancer in children but is still rare. It is more likely to occur in children with fair skin or a family history of melanoma.
Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body and may look like a mole. Doctors use the ABCDE rule to help diagnose melanoma.
Treatment options focus on removing cancer and preventing its spread. The overall survival rate for children is around 90%.