Malignant melanoma in the palate of a 3-month-old child

Abstract

Background. Malignant mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is a rare cancer in adults that carries a grave prognosis. Three mucosal melanomas in pediatric patients have previously been reported. Methods. We present here the youngest case of malignant mucosal melanoma of the head and neck in a 3-month-old boy. He presented with a 2 × 2-mm-pigmented lesion on the anterior maxillary alveolus. The patient was treated with local excision alone. Results. The patient has remained disease free with regular follow-up for 117 months. Conclusion. Based upon this case and the few cases reported in the literature, mucosal melanoma is a much less common disease in children than in adults. Further, juvenile mucosal melanoma displays a benign clinical behavior. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.