MELANOMA AS A 2ND MALIGNANT NEOPLASM AFTER CHILDHOOD-CANCER

BACKGROUND: As more children survive childhood cancers, the population at risk for second malignant tumors increases. The development of mel anoma as a second malignant tumor is not well described. METHODS: The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's 50-year experience with patients who dev eloped melanoma after treatment of a childhood cancer was retrospectiv ely reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two patients with a second malignancy were identified; 11 patients had melanoma as a second malig nancy. The most common first malignancies were Hodgkin's disease, brai n tumors, and retinoblastomas. Melanoma developed in an irradiated fie ld in 4 patients. Six patients had lymphatic or distant metastasis at diagnosis. Five of 11 patients died of melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: Factors contributing to melanoma as a second malignancy may include genetic fa ctors and the effects of chemotherapy and radiation, Survivors of chil dhood malignancy should be considered at risk for developing melanoma, and suspicious pigmented lesions should be carefully evaluated. (C) 1 996 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.