Superficial Spreading Melanomas in Children. Issue 3 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allan, Bassan J.; Ovadia, Steven; Tashiro, Jun; Thaller, Seth R.
• Is Part Of: Annals of plastic surgery. Volume 75:Issue 3(2015:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; 617.95205
• DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000141
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-7043

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Purpose</title> <p>This study aims to review the incidence and outcomes for children with superficial spreading melanomas (SSM) using population-based data.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1974–2009) was analyzed for all patients less than 20 years of age diagnosed with SSM.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>Overall, 724 patients were identified. The annual age-adjusted incidence was 1.78 cases per 1, 000, 000 in 2009. Most patients were adolescents (N = 620, 85.6%), girls (N = 478, 66.0%), and Caucasian (N = 670, 92.5%). Most tumors were located on the trunk (N = 308, 42.5%) or lower extremities (N = 160, 22.1%). Overall and disease-specific survivals were 95.6% and 97.6%, respectively. Lymph node positivity decreased disease-specific survival among patients undergoing lymph node dissection (86% vs. 100% for negative lymph nodes, <italic>P</italic> = 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Incidence of SSM increased in the early part of the study, but has remained relatively stable over the past 2 decades. Girls are at higher risk of development of the disease. Outcomes for children with SSM are very favorable.</p> </sec> </abstract>