Skin tumors in childhood.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Dermatologists, paediatricians, and general practitioners are often consulted by worried parents for the evaluation of a cutaneous tumor.

METHODS:

Selective literature review.

RESULTS:

Only 1-2% of skin tumors excised in children turn out to be malignant when examined histologically. Warning signs of malignancy include rapid growth, firm consistency, diameter exceeding 3 cm, ulceration, a non-movable mass, and presence in the neonatal period. The more common malignant skin tumors in adults-basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma-are very rare in childhood. Congenital melanocytic nevi and sebaceous nevi bear a lower malignant potential than previously believed; nevertheless, their excision is often indicated. A Spitz nevus can mimic a melanoma both clinically and histologically. Some benign skin tumors of childhood tend to regress spontaneously within a few years but may cause complications at particular locations and when multiple. For infantile hemangiomas requiring systemic treatment because of imminent obstruction or ulceration, propranolol seems to have a far more favorable risk-benefit ratio than corticosteroids.

CONCLUSION:

Physicians need specialized knowledge in order to decide whether a skin tumor in a child should be excised, non-surgically treated, or further evaluated, or whether it can be safely left untreated because of the likelihood of spontaneous remission.

• Authors: Henning Hamm, Peter H Höger
• Journal: Deutsches Arzteblatt international (Dtsch Arztebl Int) Vol. 108 Issue 20 Pg. 347-53 (May 2011) ISSN: 1866-0452 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21655460 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Child
• Humans
• Skin Neoplasms (diagnosis, therapy)