Malignant melanoma in childhood: clinical course and response to chemotherapy.

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Abstract
Malignant melanoma is uncommon in patients < 20 yr of age, and little is known about the response to chemotherapy in this age group. A series of 18 children, of whom 10 with metastatic disease were treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and dactinomycin is reported. Only 2 of 9 evaluable patients failed to show an objective response to therapy. Five of 10 patients treated are alive and free of tumor 12-80 mo. from the start of chemotherapy. Three have been in remission for > 5 yr. Melanoma in this age group may be more responsive to chemotherapy than melanoma in adult patients. A trial of this therapy in a larger number of children with evaluable disease is warranted.