Melanoma in Children

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates inAmong children in the age group of 10 to 14
the melanocytes. These cells are responsible foryears, the incidence is only 0.3 per 100,000. It is
generating melanin, the pigment that gives colorrecorded as 1.3 per 100,000, in children between
to skin, hair and eyes. This pigment is thethe ages of 14 and 19.
strongest in moles. It is due to this reason thatThe treatment of malignant melanoma in children
melanomas are usually brown or black in color.is done through surgery. Excisional biopsies are
Sometimes, melanomas stop producing theperformed to detect suspected lesions. If the
pigment and appear red, pink, and evenmalignancy is confirmed histologically, a biopsy is
skin-colored. According to the National Cancerperformed. It includes the complete thickness of
Institute, melanoma is a serious cancer of thethe dermis, to assist measurement of the depth
skin. Every year, there are about 60,000 peopleof tissue invasion. Once the diagnosis is
diagnosed with malignant melanoma.successfully done, surgical excision within adequate
There are reports that document the varyingmargins is performed.
survival rates in children, in contrast to theParents need not panic for every minor skin
melanomas in adults. Earlier, it was considered animperfection detected in their children.
uncommon phenomenon infecting children.Nonetheless, melanoma is a serious form of
Recently, the number of cases has risen from 3cancer and needs immediate detection. This helps
per million in 1982 to almost 7 per million in 2002.in curing the disease at the initial stage. People
On an average, about 500 kids are gettingneed to be aware of moles or birthmarks that
diagnosed with melanoma each year. Melanomamay have characteristics of melonama.
rarely occurs in children under 10 years of age.