Paediatric melanoma

Children with melanoma typically behave better than adults when diagnosed early. The overall ten-year survival rate for children and adolescents with melanoma is 90%¹³. About 60% of children whose disease has spread to the lymph nodes are expected to survive long-term⁹.

Paediatric melanoma follow-up protocols are similar to the adult recommendations for regular total-body skin examination and lymph nodes control to evaluate for recurrence or metastasis. Surveillance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally pursued less aggressively than in adults.  If necessary, computerized tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scans can be used too. The follow-up of the disease will depend on the country established practice so refer to your doctor on how to proceed.

⁹Saiyed, F. K., Hamilton, E. C. & Austin, M. T. Pediatric melanoma: incidence, treatment, and prognosis. Pediatr. Heal. Med. Ther. 8, 39–45 (2017).

¹³Eggen, C. A. M. et al. Incidence and relative survival of melanoma in children and adolescents in the Netherlands, 1989-2013. J. Eur. Acad. Dermatology Venereol. 32, 956–961 (2018).