@article{HammHoeger2011, author = {Hamm, Henning and H{\"o}ger, Peter H}, title = {Skin Tumors in Childhood}, series = {Deutsches {\"A}rzteblatt International}, volume = {108}, journal = {Deutsches {\"A}rzteblatt International}, number = {20}, doi = {10.3238/arztebl.2011.0347}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-142402}, pages = {347-353}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Dermatologists, paediatricians, and general practitioners are often consulted by worried parents for the evaluation of a cutaneous tumor. Methods: Selective literature review. Results: Only 1-2\% of skin tumors excised in children turn out to be malignant when examined histologically. Warning signs of malignancy include rapid growth, firm consistency, diameter exceeding 3 cm, ulceration, a non-movable mass, and presence in the neonatal period. The more common malignant skin tumors in adults-basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma-are very rare in childhood. Congenital melanocytic nevi and sebaceous nevi bear a lower malignant potential than previously believed; nevertheless, their excision is often indicated. A Spitz nevus can mimic a melanoma both clinically and histologically. Some benign skin tumors of childhood tend to regress spontaneously within a few years but may cause complications at particular locations and when multiple. For infantile hemangiomas requiring systemic treatment because of imminent obstruction or ulceration, propranolol seems to have a far more favorable risk-benefit ratio than corticosteroids. Conclusion: Physicians need specialized knowledge in order to decide whether a skin tumor in a child should be excised, non-surgically treated, or further evaluated, or whether it can be safely left untreated because of the likelihood of spontaneous remission.}, language = {en} }