Evaluation and Surgical Management of Pediatric Cutaneous Melanoma and Atypical Spitz and Non-Spitz Melanocytic Tumors (Melanocytomas): A Report From Children’s Oncology Group

Sargen MR, Barnhill RL, Elder DE, Swetter SM, Prieto VG, Ko JS, Bahrami A, Gerami P, Karunamurthy A, Pappo AS, Schuchter LM, LeBoit PE, Yeh I, Kirkwood JM, Jen M, Dunkel IJ, Durham MM, Christison-Lagay ER, Austin MT, Aldrink JH, Mehrhoff C, Hawryluk EB, Chu EY, Busam KJ, Sondak V, Messina J, Puig S, Colebatch AJ, Coughlin CC, Berrebi KG, Laetsch TW, Mitchell SG, Seynnaeve B. Evaluation and Surgical Management of Pediatric Cutaneous Melanoma and Atypical Spitz and Non-Spitz Melanocytic Tumors (Melanocytomas): A Report From Children’s Oncology Group. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Mar 20;43(9):1157-1167. doi: 10.1200/JCO.24.01154. Epub 2024 Oct 4. PMID: 39365959; PMCID: PMC11908957.

To develop recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation and surgical management of cutaneous melanoma (CM) and atypical Spitz (AST) and non-Spitz melanocytic tumors (melanocytomas) in pediatric (0–10 years) and adolescent (11–18 years) patients. A Children’s Oncology Group-led panel with external, multidisciplinary CM specialists convened to develop recommendations based on available data and expertise. Thirty-three experts from multiple specialties (cutaneous/medical/surgical oncology, dermatology, dermatopathology) established recommendations with supporting data from 87 peer-reviewed publications.