Pediatric melanoma: Are recent advances in the management of adult melanoma relevant to the pediatric population

Purpose: Although melanoma in childhood is a rare condition, there is evide nce that it is increasing in frequency. As advances are being made in the u nderstanding and therapy of adult melanoma, we need to consider the relevan ce of these advances to the pediatric population. Patients and Methods: We have reviewed our experience at the:University of Colorado Health Sciences Center with the clinical parameters, therapy, and outcomes of melanoma in 27 patients age 16 years or younger and contrasted these to the adult experience. Results: Most cases were diagnosed early with the median thickness of the p rimary melanoma being 0.75 mm. Six of seven patients who had lymph node met astases develop remain alive at a median follow-up of 62 months. Durable co mplete responses to a variety of therapies were seen in three of five patie nts with advanced disease outside the central nervous system. Our experienc e with sentinel node biopsy, adjuvant interferon, and new therapies for met astatic melanoma were also reviewed and appear to be relevant for younger p atients. Conclusions: The behavior of melanoma in the pediatric population at our ce nter is similar to that seen in adults. The integration of recent advances in the staging and therapy of melanoma in adults would be of benefit to chi ldren with this condition.