Risk factors and outcomes of melanoma in children and adolescents: A retrospective multicenter study

Abstract

BackgroundPediatric melanoma presents with distinct clinical features compared to adult disease. ObjectiveCharacterize risk factors and negative outcomes in pediatric melanoma. MethodsMulticenter retrospective study of patients under 20 years diagnosed with melanoma between 1/1/1995 – 6/30/2015 from 11 academic medical centers. ResultsMelanoma was diagnosed in 317 patients, 73% of whom were diagnosed in adolescence (age ≥11). Spitzoid (31%) and superficial spreading (26%) subtypes were most common, and 11% of cases arose from congenital nevi. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 68% of cases and positive in 46%. Fatality was observed in 7% of cases. Adolescent patients with melanoma were more likely to have family history of melanoma (p=0.046) compared to controls. LimitationsRetrospective nature, cohort size, control selection, and potential referral bias. ConclusionPediatric melanoma has diverse clinical presentations. Better understanding of these cases and outcomes may facilitate improved risk stratification of pediatric melanoma.