OP3: Cutaneous Melanoma in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous melanoma is rare among children, adolescents and young adults (AYA). The aim of this study is to characterize melanoma in children and AYA by its clinical outcome and histopathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 56 patients aged 0-19 years old with re-evaluated malignant melanoma 1 and 74 patients 0-30 years of age retrieved from the archives of Hospital District of Southwest Finland in 1983-2011 were included in the study. RESULTS: Overall survival was 100% in children <11 years, 78% in adolescents aged 11-15 years, 94% in 16-19 years old and 95% in young adults aged 20-30 years. Breslow thickness was also highest in 11-15-year-old group. Melanomas of trunk and lower limbs were more common in AYA, whereas children had more often head and neck melanomas. In young adults, melanomas were more often reported to have developed into pre-existing nevus. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of melanoma in children and young adults is better than for adolescents. Different tumor biology might explain these differences between the age groups.