Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Pediatric Melanoma

As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,  I thought I'd share a little information on pediatric melanoma.  Although melanoma in children is relatively rare, it is found in approximately 300 children in the US every year.  And while melanoma is the least diagnosed cancer in adults, in children, skin cancer is almost always melanoma.  

Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer found in adolescents age 15 to 19; making up 7% of the cancers found in this age range.  

Unfortunately, pediatric melanoma has proven very difficult for dermatologists to diagnose as the signs and symptoms can be very different than those of adult melanoma.  In fact, a 2011 study showed that of children age 0-10 years old with melanoma, over 60% did not present with the "normal" melanoma-diagnosis criteria. This criteria is identified by the "ABCDE warning signs" or symmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation and Diameter over six millimeters, and Evolution of the lesion.  Additionally, approximately 40% of children with melanoma age 10-20, also did not meet this criteria.  

This large discrepancy in criteria has led many dermatologist to create a new set of criteria specific to pediatric melanomas. The new criteria is identified by the "ABCD warning signs"; where A is for "amelanosis" meaning pigment lacking, B for bumps or bleeding, C for uniform Color, and D for various Diameters or new Development of lesions or moles. 

Although the chances of your child having melanoma are rare, you should be informed, keep an eye on your child's skin, and take steps in preventing skin cancers in your children.  Also, remember that melanoma can occur in areas not exposed to the sun; so be sure to check your child's scalp, feet, hands and buttocks for any unusual lesions or moles.  Have any suspicious moles, warts or lesions checked by your dermatologist.

If you, or your dermatologist suspect that your child may have melanoma, make sure to request that your child is seen by a pediatric dermatology team, as many dermatologists and pathologists are accustomed to seeing adult skin cancers and may not notice the alternative signs of melanoma in children. Also, never hesitate to seek a biopsy of a suspicious mole or lesion. Early detection is key in the treatment of all skin cancers in children and adults alike. 

For a refresher on how to protect your children from sun damage at any age, check out my post "Preventing Skin Cancer in Children". 

As always, protect and Love the Skin You're In.