All cases of malignant melanoma in children under 16 years old, whose histopathology slides had been examined in our department from 1981 to 1993, were reviewed. Clinical details and outcome were obtained from hospital case-notes, or by postal inquiry from the referring doctor. Information regarding the appearance of the lesion, presenting symptoms, history of severe sunburn, and features of dysplastic naevus syndrome, was specifically requested. The treatment carried out, and the date the patient was last seen were established.

Histology slides were reviewed. Special note was taken of architectural details, such as symmetry, growth pattern, pagetoid spread, intralesional transformation and expansile growth pattern, and of cytological details, such as cell type, pigment density and mitotic rate.

责任编辑：admin