Primary Skin Malignancies in the Pediatric Population, Review of Tumor Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes

Tumor characteristics and skin cancer type affect treatment diagnosis and the potential to develop metastatic disease in pediatric populations. A group of researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, reported their experiences with pediatric cutaneous malignancies.

They performed a single institution, retrospective review of pediatric patients with a primary skin malignancy from 1992 to 2020 and reviewed demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment outcomes.

Malignant melanoma was the most common lesion and presented on the trunk or extremities. It was also most likely to be misdiagnosed. Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) were more common in the head and neck region and associated with a personal history of skin cancer. The risk of metastasis, recurrence, or survival rate was not impacted by treatment delays. Patients with malignant melanoma were more likely to develop metastatic disease compared with NMSCs.

“Awareness of skin malignancies in the pediatric population is imperative to providers and the public, with low threshold for specialty consultation and excision when warranted,” wrote the study authors.

Reference
Kuruoglu D, Weissler JM, Bustos SS, et al. A 28-year single institution experience with primary skin malignancies in the pediatric population. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. Published online May 25, 2021. doi:10.1080/2000656X.2021.1914639