Pediatr. praxi. 2025;26(2):104-110 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2025.020

Melanoma in children and adolescents

doc. MUDr. Jarmila Čelakovská, Ph.D., MUDr. Veronika Wertzová, Ph.D.

Klinika nemocí kožních a pohlavních, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové, Lékařská fakulta v Hradci Králové, Univerzita Karlova

Melanoma in children is relatively rare, making it difficult to determine prognostic factors, biological behavior, and efficacy of therapy in the pediatric population. The article presents the results of studies and a review of the literature regarding the incidence of melanoma in patients younger than 21 years. The characteristic features of melanoma in children, risk factors, histological and immunohistochemical features, and treatment options are discussed. Studies suggest that careful analysis of histologi­cal and immunohistochemical features should allow for the correct diagnosis in most cases of melanoma in children. Although patients with melanoma in childhood have a higher chance of survival than adults, many children develop metastases, especially when melanoma is diagnosed after puberty. Although melanoma is a rare childhood disease, it is the most common type of skin cancer in young people. With its increa­sing incidence, it is important to consider this disease; melanoma in children is often overlooked and diagnosis is delayed.

Keywords: melanoma, childhood, Spitz nevus, heredity, UV radiation.

Accepted: May 2, 2025; Published: May 6, 2025  Show citation