Melanocytic Nevi in Children Under Chemotherapy
Melanocytic Nevi in Children Under Chemotherapy
Changes in nevus count in 16 children (8m, 8f) aged between 2 and 17 years (median:8 years)
 suffering from different malignancies were examined every three months during a one-year
 period after starting chemotherapy. An age and sex matched control group underwent the same
 skin examinations.At the start of our study, the range of number of nevi in the chemotherapy
 group was 0-133, in the control group 2-199.
Objectives:

 Patients given chemotherapy because of different malignancies have an increased
 susceptibility to cutaneous tumours and infection and a change of number of nevi during
 treatment is discussed. We investigated wether total nevi count changes in children
 undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore 16 (8m, 8f) children suffering from leukaemia (11),
 lymphoma (2), adenosarcoma of the kidney (1), Ewing´s sarcoma (1) and neuroblastoma (1) aged
 between 2 and 17 years (median:8 years), under chemotherapy at the pediatric department of
 oncology, were examined at the beginning and 9-12 months after starting chemotherapy. As
 control group age and sex matched children of the local population were used.

 Materials and Methods:

 At the beginning of chemotherapy the nevi were counted on the total body. All nevi were
 larger in diameter than 1mm and as melanocytic lesion identifiable. Clinical and dermoscopic
 photographs were taken of every nevus. If the patient had more than 50 nevi, only nevi on the
 face, right arm, upper back and the buttocks were documented. Reassessment was repeated every
 3 month.

 Conclusion:

 In our patients under chemotherapy during one year the development of new nevi is similar to
 sex and age matched children of the general population. During this short period development
 of nevi seems not to be influenced by chemotherapy.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patient and/or parents willing to participate in the study

 -  Age under 18

 Study Group Only:

 -  Patient suffering from a malignancy requiring systemic chemotherapy

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patient and/or parents who decline to participate in the study