This information is intended to provide a general overview of Childhood Melanoma. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for giving the skin its pigment or colour. Although it is rare in children, it is the most common type of skin cancer diagnosed in the paediatric population.
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 500 children are diagnosed with paediatric melanoma each year, accounting for around 2% of all childhood cancers.
While melanoma is occasionally found in newborns, it becomes more common as children grow older, and it represents about 8% of all cancers in teenagers.
Paediatric melanoma is becoming more prevalent, particularly among teenage girls. Current research indicates that risk is increased by sun exposure and the use of tanning beds.
The exact cause of paediatric melanoma is not fully understood, but certain factors make it more likely for a child to develop this type of cancer. These risk factors include:
Previous studies have shown that children who are successfully treated for melanoma have an increased risk of the cancer returning later in life. It is important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop melanoma. If your child has any of these factors, we strongly encourage you to discuss them with your doctor.
Melanoma symptoms can vary from child to child. It is a good practice to regularly examine any moles or other spots on your child's skin.
When examining your child's moles, remembering the mnemonic ABCDEF can be helpful for spotting potential trouble signs:
Paediatric melanoma is rare, and if your child has any of the above symptoms, they are likely due to a less serious problem. However, you must tell your doctor if you notice any abnormal bump, mole, or spot on your child's skin.
Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for a positive outcome in paediatric melanoma. However, it can often be difficult to diagnose correctly.
SSCHRC is equipped with the most advanced technology to diagnose paediatric melanoma and determine if it has spread. This increases the likelihood that your child's treatment will be successful. Our staff includes specialised pathologists and diagnostic radiologists who are highly skilled in diagnosing paediatric melanoma.
If your child has a suspicious-looking area on the skin that the doctor suspects might be melanoma, the first step is a thorough physical examination. The doctor will also ask questions about your child's current health and your family's medical history.
One or more of the following diagnostic tests may be used to confirm if your child has melanoma, determine the extent of the spread, and check if the treatment is working.
To confirm if a mole or spot is melanoma, the doctor will perform a biopsy to remove a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. It is crucial that suspicious areas are not shaved or destroyed by burning (with a hot instrument, electrical current, or caustic substance) until a biopsy has been done.
Your doctor may use one of these biopsy methods:
Several imaging methods may be used to help diagnose paediatric melanoma and check for spread, which may include:
The experts at SSCHRC are highly specialised in diagnosing paediatric melanoma. We welcome the opportunity to provide second opinions for paediatric melanoma.
The experts at SSCHRC take a personalised and customised approach to your child's treatment. Drawing upon a range of the most advanced treatment options, your child's care team works closely together and with you to determine the best course of action. This collaboration helps to maximise your child's opportunity for successful treatment.
Each child's case is managed by an interdisciplinary team that may include oncologists, surgical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They are supported by a highly trained team of nurses, physician's assistants, therapists, and social workers.
Melanoma is not a "one-size-fits-all" cancer. The molecular and cellular changes are unique to each person. If paediatric melanoma is detected early, it is highly treatable.
Surgery is almost always a component of the treatment for paediatric melanoma. Because SSCHRC leads one of the most active paediatric melanoma treatment programmes in the nation, our surgeons have extraordinary expertise and experience that can help increase your child's chances for successful treatment.
Several innovative treatments for paediatric melanoma are offered at SSCHRC. We offer a range of clinical trials, some of which are available exclusively here.
If your child is diagnosed with paediatric melanoma, the doctor will discuss the best ways to treat it. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including whether the cancer has spread. Your child's treatment will be fully customised to their specific needs. One or more of the following therapies may be recommended to treat the cancer or help relieve symptoms.
The main treatment for paediatric melanoma is surgery to remove the tumour. The type and extent of surgery performed will depend on the size and location of the melanoma and whether it has spread.
Early paediatric melanomas typically do not require further treatment after surgical removal. Following surgery, your child will need regular check-ups to ensure the cancer has not returned.
If the melanoma is more advanced, a sentinel node biopsy may be performed during surgery. Lymph nodes are olive-sized glands that are part of the lymphatic system, which circulates lymph fluid throughout the body. The lymphatic system can also carry cancer cells from the tumour site to other areas. In a sentinel lymph node biopsy, a radioactive blue dye is injected into the tumour area before surgery. The dye appears in cancerous lymph nodes. The node with the highest amount of blue dye is identified as the "sentinel" node, and the surgeon removes all nodes that show the blue dye.
Chemotherapy may be used after surgery for some advanced paediatric melanomas. SSCHRC offers the most up-to-date and advanced chemotherapy options available.
Treatment with these innovative agents may be necessary for advanced paediatric melanomas. They are specifically designed to treat each child's unique cancer and its genetic/molecular profile to help the patient's body fight the disease. Many of the doctors at SSCHRC are dedicated researchers who have pioneered and actively lead national and international clinical trials with novel targeted agents.