Nonpigmented Metastatic Melanoma in a Two-Year-Old Girl: A Serious Diagnostic Dilemma

Abstract EN

Although rare, malignant melanoma may occur in children.

Childhood melanomas account for only 0.3–3% of all melanomas.

In particular the presence of congenital melanocytic nevi is associated with an increased risk of development of melanoma.

We herein report a case of malignant melanoma that developed on a giant congenital melanocytic nevus and made a metastasis to the subcutaneous tissue of neck in a two-year-old girl.

The patient was hospitalized for differential diagnosis and treatment of cervical mass with a suspicion of hematological malignancy, because the malignant transformation of congenital nevus was not noticed before.

In this case, we found out a nonpigmented malignant tumor of pleomorphic cells after the microscopic examination of subcutaneous lesion.

Nonpigmented metastatic melanoma was diagnosed by several immunohistochemical and flow cytometric studies.

She was offered palliative chemotherapy; however, her parents did not accept treatment.

The patient died within 9 months of diagnosis.

We emphasized here that the possibility of malignant melanoma in the differential diagnosis of childhood tumors should be kept in mind.