Abstract
Childhood and adolescent melanoma is rare, accounting for only 1.3% for all cases
of cancer in patients under the age of 20 years. However, in 15–19 year olds, melanoma
accounts for up to 7% of all cancers. Review of reported cases in this age group reveals
that predisposing ‘paediatric’ conditions such as a giant congenital melanocytic naevi
or xeroderma pigmentosum are rarely present. Furthermore, inactivating germ-line mutations
of the gene CDKN2A have only been reported in 1.5% of cases of early onset melanoma. Epidemiological
studies suggest that interactions between solar exposure, development of naevi, pigmentary
traits, and a family history of melanoma are the main determinants of melanoma development
during the first 20 years of life. As yet, there are no available staging or treatment
strategies for this group of patients so treatment recommendations are based on the
adult experience. To improve our understanding of the natural history of melanoma
and to identify the most appropriate therapies for young patients with this disease,
practising physicians are encouraged to enroll their patients, especially those with
advanced stage disease, in cooperative group trials which incorporate newer staging
systems and promising therapies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 26,
2003
Received in revised form:
May 12,
2003
Received:
December 20,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
