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


Diniz G., Yildirim H. T., Yamaci S., Olgun N.

CASE REPORTS IN ONCOLOGICAL MEDICINE, cilt.2015, 2015 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 2015
  • Basım Tarihi: 2015
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1155/2015/298273
  • Dergi Adı: CASE REPORTS IN ONCOLOGICAL MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

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.