This is an automatically translated article.
Congenital melanoma is a common skin disease in children. The incidence in children is about 1%. Recognizing early signs of disease will make the treatment process easier and more convenient.
1. What is congenital melanoma in children?
Congenital melanoma, also known as Congenital Nevomelanocytic Nevus (Congenital Nevomelanocytic Nevus), black eczema, pigmentation, black birthmark... is a common skin disease in children with recognizable manifestations. known as light brown to dark black, slightly raised areas of skin ranging in size from very small to enormous covering part of the body, sometimes with hair on the surface.
It is caused by abnormality of the chromatophores that appear out of place during the migration of epithelial cells during the embryonic period.
Congenital melanoma is a benign pathology. However, it has a great influence on aesthetics, especially can affect the psychology of children when they grow up.
2. Symptoms and diagnosis of congenital melanoma
Congenital melanoma can be easily diagnosed based on the clinical picture of the child:
The tumor is black or brownish-black in color, clearly bordered with surrounding healthy skin structure. The skin at the tumor is usually thick, hard, with many long or thick hairs on the tumor and varies in size (from small to giant). Accordingly, congenital melanoma is classified according to the size of the tumor:
Small form when the tumor diameter is < 1.5 cm. Moderate form when the tumor diameter is 1.5-20 cm. Giant form when the tumor diameter is > 20 cm (>2% of body skin surface area). In the case of children with giant tumors, there is a risk of meningeal lesions (Need to have CT scan, brain MRI to check) which can cause mental retardation, hydrocephalus and epilepsy.
Some types of melanoma are black from birth, some are only dark blue at birth, deep under the skin, as the baby gets older, the black becomes more obvious.
Congenital melanoma in children usually appears at birth or shortly after birth, regardless of sex with the rate of 1 in 20,000 children for tumors > 9.9cm in diameter; 1/50,000 children for tumors > 20cm in diameter. Meanwhile, small congenital pigmented tumors account for 1% of newborns, and moderate tumors are 6%.
Although, congenital melanoma is a benign tumor, but parents need to monitor and treat it properly. Because in some cases, tumors have morphological changes, grow in size and may appear ulcers, bleeding, cell changes and become malignant. The rate of congenital melanoma tumors turns malignant 3-12%.
U sắc tố bẩm sinh ở trẻ em thường xuất hiện lúc trẻ mới sinh hoặc ngay sau sinh
3. How is congenital melanoma in children treated?
Some very small tumors can be treated with laser, but the main solution is still surgery. Usually, melanoma tumors will be indicated for surgery when the patient's family is worried about the risk of cancer, the tumor affects the child's aesthetics, to reduce the risk of malignant transformation later.
Based on the size, location of the tumor, the age of the patient, the elasticity of the skin around the pathological area, the specialist doctor will choose the following methods:
Tumor removal many times. Excision of the entire tumor, sutures closed directly. Excision of the entire tumor, shaping with local or adjacent flaps. Excision of the entire tumor, skin grafting or closure with stretch skin flaps after placement of the dilatation bag. With tumors suspected of malignancy: ulcers, bleeding on the surface of the tumor, abnormally rapid growth, ... it is necessary to do a biopsy of the tumor.
Parents or relatives of children absolutely do not use herbal remedies, traditional medicines, and folk tobacco to cover the tumor area of children as well as use bleach and chemicals (lemon acid, hydrogen peroxide. ..) or burn, scrape the melanoma area. With incorrect interventions, it is easy to cause inflammation, chronic ulcers, and cancer-changing cell disorders.
If parents see that a child has congenital melanoma, they should pay attention to follow up and when there is a need for treatment, they should visit a medical facility with a specialist in plastic surgery or a specialist in dermatology for examination and treatment. , limiting complications such as infection, wound rupture, post-surgery scar, tissue necrosis...
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases , including the Department of Pediatrics. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad. Therefore, when a child shows signs of illness, parents can take the child to Vinmec to be examined and consulted by a doctor.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
