Spitz melanoma secondary to xeroderma pigmentosa in a child: a case report

Abstract

A 6-year-old boy presented with a 5-year history of pigmentation on the face, neck, and hands. On examination, the patient had extreme photophobia. There was multiple freckles-like pigmentations on the face, neck, and back of both hands. Extremities were densely distributed. Multiple facial lesions, 1–2 cm2 in size, were also seen; most of them were ulcerated and had crusty patches. There was mild double eversion of the lower eyelids, with pigmentation and conjunctival redness in both eyes. Facial histopathologic findings: Spitz nevus-like malignant melanoma, Clark grade IV. A final diagnosis of melanoma secondary to xeroderma pigmentosa was made. According to the previous literature, the minimum age of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum combined with malignant melanoma is 8 years old, but the age, in this case, is 6 years old. In addition, extensive local excision of suspicious lesions early is of great significance for the prognosis of patients.