Melanoma accounts for 7% of all cancers in adolescents ages 15-19 years but is an unexpected malignancy in younger children. The prevalence of malignant melanoma is very rare in children ages 1-4 years, but certain non-modifiable risk factors such as xeroderma pigmentosum, congenital melanocytic nevus syndrome and other inherited traits increase the risk for its development in these young children. Recent genomic studies have identified characteristics of pediatric melanoma that differ from conventional melanoma seen in adults. In this review the authors inform on the types of melanoma seen in children and adolescents, discuss similarities and differences in melanoma between children and adults, and discuss the role of imaging in the care of these children.
Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Malignancy; Melanoma; Risk factors; Skin; Ultrasonography.