Scientists uncover potential key risk factors for melanomas in children and adolescents
Source: News Medical Life Science, September 2023
A recent eBioMedicine study found key risk factors associated with the development of melanoma in children and adolescents.
Background
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer mostly found in adults. Although it is a common type of malignant tumor in adults, sometimes melanoma is also found in children and adolescents.
The incidence rate of melanoma in children under 15 years of age is very low, i.e., 1.3 per million children; however, this rate increases exponentially with age. By 15-19 years, the incidence rate increases by 10-fold. This exponential increase in melanoma cases with age has been attributed to greater cumulative sunlight exposure.