Pediatric Melanoma

Per year, 300 children in the United States are afflicted with melanoma (Melanoma in Children and Teens, 2021). Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that is highly malignant, or in other terms spreads throughout the body. It occurs when there is some type of abnormality or deformity in the production or function of melanocytes (otherwise known as melanin-producing cells). Skin cells normally grow in a regulated and organized manner, with healthy new cells pushing older cells to the skin's surface. At this point, these cells die and then ultimately fall off. However, when certain cells sustain DNA damage, new cells can begin to proliferate uncontrollably, eventually becoming a cluster of cancerous cells.

Melanoma is a type of cancer that typically only occurs in adults “but about 300 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with melanoma each year” (Melanoma in Children and Teens, 2021). Although melanoma is the least frequent form of skin cancer in adults, children usually have melanoma when diagnosed with a type of skin cancer. While many people think that melanoma develops due to long exposure to sun rays, in children it is slightly different. Sun exposure actually has a less of an effect on the progression of melanoma in children. In children, main risk factors include having certain physical characteristics. Children with naturally fair skin, blonde or red hair, or freckles are more susceptible to develop melanoma thaven other children. In addition to this, children are more at risk of developing melanoma if they have a history of having an increased quantity of sunburns, abnormal moles, or a family history of melanoma or unusual moles.

Melanomas in adults typically appear to darken, however in children the melanoma are often “whitish, yellowish, or pink” (Melanoma in Children and Teens, 2021). This means that in children, the symptoms of melanomas differ from adults. Some common symptoms include a skin bump which bleeds or itches, or a spot which looks wart like (usually either whitish, pinkish or yellowish in color). Sometimes, children also have a skin lesion (though not as dark as it would be in adults). Most commonly, children have moles that appear unusually larger or vary from the rest of a child’s moles.

In order to be aware of signs of melanoma in a child, a parent should learn more about their child’s patterns of moles, freckles and any other markings on their body, as well as the changes in number, shape, color or size of said markings. By observing any abnormalities in these patterns, parents can have a general understanding of when their child may be developing melanoma.

Similarly, doctors look for abnormal features in a child's mole in order to diagnose them with the appropriate skin condition. Doctors use the “ABCDE” rule which describes a series of features to look at on a mole to diagnose melanoma in children. In the ABCDE rule, A stands for asymmetry (when one half the mole is a different shape than the other). B stands for border. In this, doctors look for blurred or jagged edges to a mole (or any other irregular border). C stands for color, in which the pigmentation of the mole is not consistent (in children, usually a later shade). D stands for diameter. A general measurement of a too big mole is over six millimeters. And finally, E stands for evolving or constantly changing in all facets.

When diagnosed with melanoma, there are typically four methods of treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy. In surgery, the entire melanoma and any lymph nodes it may have spread to are removed. When the cancer has spread, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to shrink the cancer. Immunotherapy is used to train the immune system of the child to attack cancer cells and hopefully reduce the harmful effects of melanoma (in order to eventually perform surgery).

Given how draining this disorder is both emotionally and physically on both patients and their families, often people may feel compelled to assist these children who are going through a tough time in their life. And fortunately, there are many ways that one can make a difference in the lives of these patients. One of these methods may be to advocate or donate to organisations like Aid2Day, which assist pediatric cancer patients and cancer survivors by charitable contributions to support research or through adding joy into the lives of patients. If you have a strong desire to serve children who have been diagnosed with this dangerous illness, you can also create your own non-profit organization to assist patients. Other opportunities include helping at a hospital, engaging in fundraisers to raise funds, or participating in activities that allow you to visit and spend time with cancer patients.

Sources:

http://www.danafarberbostonchildrens.org/conditions/solid-tumors/pediatric_melanoma.aspx

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374884