CHILDHOOD MELANOMA IN AUSTRALIA

Data from a population-based registry, the Australian Paediatric Cance r Registry, were used to determine the incidence of malignant melanoma in children under 15 years of age in Australia. Over a 17-year period , 217 cases were identified. For the period 1977-89 inclusive, the ann ual age incidence was 0.34 per 100,000. There was some variation in in cidence between the different states with Queensland recording the hig hest incidence at 0.97 per 100,000, the highest reported incidence in the world for childhood melanoma. Most of the cases occurred in childr en aged 13 or 14 years old with girls affected slightly more often, th e sex ratio being 0.92. There was a statistically significant seasonal variation with fewer cases being diagnosed during the winter months. The commonest site was the trunk Two of the cases were second neoplasm s. This series demonstrates the need for increased education of childr en living in tropical and subtropical regions about the dangers of sun exposure and of methods of reducing exposure. Children who have under gone chemotherapy appear to be at particular risk.