Spitzoid melanoma in childhood

Spitzoid melanoma is a rare variant of melanoma. It has morphological features similar to those of Spitz's nevus. In this study, the histologic and immunohistochemical features of both Spitzoid melanoma and Spitz's nevus are emphasized. We report two cases of melanoma with spitzoid features occurring in the extremities of 9 and 8-year-old girls. Histologically both lesions had typical features of Spitzoid melanoma. We conclude that the differential diagnosis of Spitzoid melanoma and Spitz's nevus is at times problematic in childhood, in that distant metastasis may be the only diagnostic criteria for some cases to be distinguished from Spitz's nevus if strict criteria are followed. Spitzoid melanoma must be treated as other types of melanoma.