Pediatric melanoma: a single-institution experience of 150 patients.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
PURPOSE: Differentiating pigmented skin lesions from malignant melanoma in the pediatric population has been a challenge. Despite guidelines describing clinical features and histopathologic criteria to distinguish these lesions, misdiagnoses still occur. We report our experience over 30 years in a pediatric population with malignant melanoma. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 150 pediatric patients treated for malignant melanoma between 1973 and 2007 at our institution. Outcomes measured included age, Breslow thickness, Clark level of invasion, tumor location, local and distant failure rates, and overall survival. RESULTS: One hundred fifty pediatric patients were evaluated. The mean age was 15.1 years. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.05 mm and corresponding Clark level of invasion was 3.47. There were 43 known recurrences (29%); 29 distant, 14 nodal, and 7 local. Overall survival was 84% with a mean follow-up of 8.5 years. Sixteen patients (10.7%) were incorrectly diagnosed on initial pathologic examination. Overall survival in the misdiagnosed group was 66%. CONCLUSION: Pigmented skin lesions in the pediatric population represent a diagnostic challenge to pathologists and clinicians. Improvements in diagnostic techniques with rigorous characterization, as well as increased physician awareness, should lead to a reduction in errors of diagnosis.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Aldrink, JH; Selim, MA; Diesen, DL; Johnson, J; Pruitt, SK; Tyler, DS; Seigler, HF
Published Date
- August 2009
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 44 / 8
Start / End Page
- 1514 - 1521
PubMed ID
- 19635298
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1531-5037
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.12.003
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States