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Melanoma and Spitz Nevi in Children

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Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapy in Children

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Abstract

Children commonly develop new nevi over time, and existing nevi can evolve. Determining which new or changing nevi are concerning for melanoma is a unique challenge in the pediatric population. Pediatric melanoma is uncommon and accounts for about 6% of cancers in adolescents. The incidence of melanoma in individuals under 20 years of age is 0.37 per 100,000 person years. Although rare, timely diagnosis and treatment is essential. Spitz nevi, originally named “benign juvenile melanoma,” are most common in the pediatric population and can have clinical and histologic features that are concerning for melanoma. Atypical Spitz tumors straddle Spitz nevi and melanoma, with atypical features that approach, but do not meet criteria for melanoma. Distinguishing between Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors, and melanoma can be difficult. This chapter reviews the clinical, histologic, and genetic characteristics of these tumors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Hahnemann Hospital, 219 N Broad Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA

    Catherine Warner M.D.

  2. Department of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Room 3306, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Melinda Jen M.D.

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  1. Catherine Warner M.D.
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  2. Melinda Jen M.D.
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Correspondence to Melinda Jen M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Jennifer T. Huang

  2. Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Carrie C. Coughlin

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Warner, C., Jen, M. (2018). Melanoma and Spitz Nevi in Children. In: Huang, J., Coughlin, C. (eds) Skin Tumors and Reactions to Cancer Therapy in Children. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66200-8_1

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