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Pediatric Melanoma

Forums Pediatric & AYA Melanoma Community Pediatric Melanoma

  • Post
    robbylee
    Participant

      Our 15 Month old son was just diagnosed with Pediatric melanoma. Is there any information that outlines the possible causes of mlanoma in children this young?

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        curious12
        Participant

          Hi! I am so sorry to hear this.  I don't know much about it, but I believe at this age it is normally a genetic predisposition (as opposed to sun or environmental) How did it present? Do you have history? What did the doctor say? Wondering if you have had melanoma yourself, as I know it can be passed through the placenta (but very rare). Hopefully someone here will chime in who knows more, but wanted to reply and wish you all the best with this. I've never heard of a young baby having it : (

           

          curious12
          Participant

            Hi! I am so sorry to hear this.  I don't know much about it, but I believe at this age it is normally a genetic predisposition (as opposed to sun or environmental) How did it present? Do you have history? What did the doctor say? Wondering if you have had melanoma yourself, as I know it can be passed through the placenta (but very rare). Hopefully someone here will chime in who knows more, but wanted to reply and wish you all the best with this. I've never heard of a young baby having it : (

             

              robbylee
              Participant

                It first appeared as a bug bite, then a wart, then kept growing and getting harder and protruding more and red. There is no family history of melanoma. Dr. Ross the melanoma specialist he is seeing says it is genetic as in a mutation in his chromosomes possibly but not sure. 

                robbylee
                Participant

                  It first appeared as a bug bite, then a wart, then kept growing and getting harder and protruding more and red. There is no family history of melanoma. Dr. Ross the melanoma specialist he is seeing says it is genetic as in a mutation in his chromosomes possibly but not sure. 

                  robbylee
                  Participant

                    It first appeared as a bug bite, then a wart, then kept growing and getting harder and protruding more and red. There is no family history of melanoma. Dr. Ross the melanoma specialist he is seeing says it is genetic as in a mutation in his chromosomes possibly but not sure. 

                  curious12
                  Participant

                    Hi! I am so sorry to hear this.  I don't know much about it, but I believe at this age it is normally a genetic predisposition (as opposed to sun or environmental) How did it present? Do you have history? What did the doctor say? Wondering if you have had melanoma yourself, as I know it can be passed through the placenta (but very rare). Hopefully someone here will chime in who knows more, but wanted to reply and wish you all the best with this. I've never heard of a young baby having it : (

                     

                    A
                    Participant

                      I am also very sorry about your son's diagnosis. Could you please describe this lesion how it appered in Feb (e.g., size, shape, color) and what color and shape it become later? Since pediatric melanoma is rare, it is important to be aware about it. 

                        Phil S
                        Participant

                          First let me say that your baby is absolutely adorable!!!     I am so sorry you are going thru this difficult diagnosis, pediatric melanoma is so rare. I am sure you feel isolated and scared.  I think it's hard to get a definite answer with some forms of melanoma, my husband's mucosal melanoma is very hard to understand since it didn't originate in a mole and he has no known mutations to date.  For awhile, my husband kept asking the doctors why he got this very rare form of melanoma, and I remember one doctor just saying to him, Phil I have no current explanation, "it's just like getting hit by lightning", you have to accept that some cancer can be random.   We liked that answer, because we knew there wasn't anything we could have done differently.  My husband had never smoked, had an extremely healthy diet, exercised regularly, etc..  But, now for whatever reason, we needed to change his immune system, which was failing him, and Fight!  It's a long story, but we have done treatment to improve Phil's immune system and he is staying stable, his body is able to hold things back.  I have read very encouraging things regarding young children's immune systems, and you are doing great by getting treatment at a top rated melanoma center.  Dr Ross removed Phil's tumor for TIL.  So, I truly wish you all the best and many, many years watching your beautiful son grow up.   Valerie (Phil's wife)

                          dnovak
                          Participant

                            I'm sorry your child has been diagnosed with pediatric melanoma. The disease is very rare in children and there are not a lot of resources out there for the newly diagnosed. 

                            There is a network of pediatric melanoma parents that you need to get in touch with, including several who's kids were also diagnosed at a very young age. 

                            Google Littleist warrior spot and go to the web site or Facebook page. Danielle Adams will help you get setup into our group. You will find a wealth of info there from the 60 or so parents. 

                            Dave Novak, father to Amelia, age 8 stage 3b patient.  

                             

                             

                             

                             

                            robbylee
                            Participant

                              We have indeed been reached out to by some great people who have been through this journey. We are now on tge littlest warrior spot and attending the first annual pediatric melanoma summit next month. Just thankful that we have other parents to relate to ๐Ÿ™‚

                              robbylee
                              Participant

                                We have indeed been reached out to by some great people who have been through this journey. We are now on tge littlest warrior spot and attending the first annual pediatric melanoma summit next month. Just thankful that we have other parents to relate to ๐Ÿ™‚

                                robbylee
                                Participant

                                  We have indeed been reached out to by some great people who have been through this journey. We are now on tge littlest warrior spot and attending the first annual pediatric melanoma summit next month. Just thankful that we have other parents to relate to ๐Ÿ™‚

                                  dnovak
                                  Participant

                                    I'm sorry your child has been diagnosed with pediatric melanoma. The disease is very rare in children and there are not a lot of resources out there for the newly diagnosed. 

                                    There is a network of pediatric melanoma parents that you need to get in touch with, including several who's kids were also diagnosed at a very young age. 

                                    Google Littleist warrior spot and go to the web site or Facebook page. Danielle Adams will help you get setup into our group. You will find a wealth of info there from the 60 or so parents. 

                                    Dave Novak, father to Amelia, age 8 stage 3b patient.  

                                     

                                     

                                     

                                     

                                    dnovak
                                    Participant

                                      I'm sorry your child has been diagnosed with pediatric melanoma. The disease is very rare in children and there are not a lot of resources out there for the newly diagnosed. 

                                      There is a network of pediatric melanoma parents that you need to get in touch with, including several who's kids were also diagnosed at a very young age. 

                                      Google Littleist warrior spot and go to the web site or Facebook page. Danielle Adams will help you get setup into our group. You will find a wealth of info there from the 60 or so parents. 

                                      Dave Novak, father to Amelia, age 8 stage 3b patient.  

                                       

                                       

                                       

                                       

                                      robbylee
                                      Participant

                                        Thank you for your kind words Valerie! We are very confident with dr ross and dr hues and their teams! We have also been put in contact with some wonderful people who have been very helpful! 

                                        robbylee
                                        Participant

                                          Thank you for your kind words Valerie! We are very confident with dr ross and dr hues and their teams! We have also been put in contact with some wonderful people who have been very helpful! 

                                          robbylee
                                          Participant

                                            Thank you for your kind words Valerie! We are very confident with dr ross and dr hues and their teams! We have also been put in contact with some wonderful people who have been very helpful! 

                                            Phil S
                                            Participant

                                              First let me say that your baby is absolutely adorable!!!     I am so sorry you are going thru this difficult diagnosis, pediatric melanoma is so rare. I am sure you feel isolated and scared.  I think it's hard to get a definite answer with some forms of melanoma, my husband's mucosal melanoma is very hard to understand since it didn't originate in a mole and he has no known mutations to date.  For awhile, my husband kept asking the doctors why he got this very rare form of melanoma, and I remember one doctor just saying to him, Phil I have no current explanation, "it's just like getting hit by lightning", you have to accept that some cancer can be random.   We liked that answer, because we knew there wasn't anything we could have done differently.  My husband had never smoked, had an extremely healthy diet, exercised regularly, etc..  But, now for whatever reason, we needed to change his immune system, which was failing him, and Fight!  It's a long story, but we have done treatment to improve Phil's immune system and he is staying stable, his body is able to hold things back.  I have read very encouraging things regarding young children's immune systems, and you are doing great by getting treatment at a top rated melanoma center.  Dr Ross removed Phil's tumor for TIL.  So, I truly wish you all the best and many, many years watching your beautiful son grow up.   Valerie (Phil's wife)

                                              Phil S
                                              Participant

                                                First let me say that your baby is absolutely adorable!!!     I am so sorry you are going thru this difficult diagnosis, pediatric melanoma is so rare. I am sure you feel isolated and scared.  I think it's hard to get a definite answer with some forms of melanoma, my husband's mucosal melanoma is very hard to understand since it didn't originate in a mole and he has no known mutations to date.  For awhile, my husband kept asking the doctors why he got this very rare form of melanoma, and I remember one doctor just saying to him, Phil I have no current explanation, "it's just like getting hit by lightning", you have to accept that some cancer can be random.   We liked that answer, because we knew there wasn't anything we could have done differently.  My husband had never smoked, had an extremely healthy diet, exercised regularly, etc..  But, now for whatever reason, we needed to change his immune system, which was failing him, and Fight!  It's a long story, but we have done treatment to improve Phil's immune system and he is staying stable, his body is able to hold things back.  I have read very encouraging things regarding young children's immune systems, and you are doing great by getting treatment at a top rated melanoma center.  Dr Ross removed Phil's tumor for TIL.  So, I truly wish you all the best and many, many years watching your beautiful son grow up.   Valerie (Phil's wife)

                                                robbylee
                                                Participant

                                                  It first appeared as a bug bite but then didnt go away after several weeks. Then it changed quickly and looked like a wart. After several more weeks and dr appts. started growing quickly and turned red and hard. Was told by dr it was nothing and would go away over time. We decided to have it removed and biopsied to be safe. Then july 23rd got the results that it was melanoma stage llb. 

                                                  robbylee
                                                  Participant

                                                    It first appeared as a bug bite but then didnt go away after several weeks. Then it changed quickly and looked like a wart. After several more weeks and dr appts. started growing quickly and turned red and hard. Was told by dr it was nothing and would go away over time. We decided to have it removed and biopsied to be safe. Then july 23rd got the results that it was melanoma stage llb. 

                                                    robbylee
                                                    Participant

                                                      It first appeared as a bug bite but then didnt go away after several weeks. Then it changed quickly and looked like a wart. After several more weeks and dr appts. started growing quickly and turned red and hard. Was told by dr it was nothing and would go away over time. We decided to have it removed and biopsied to be safe. Then july 23rd got the results that it was melanoma stage llb. 

                                                    A
                                                    Participant

                                                      I am also very sorry about your son's diagnosis. Could you please describe this lesion how it appered in Feb (e.g., size, shape, color) and what color and shape it become later? Since pediatric melanoma is rare, it is important to be aware about it. 

                                                      A
                                                      Participant

                                                        I am also very sorry about your son's diagnosis. Could you please describe this lesion how it appered in Feb (e.g., size, shape, color) and what color and shape it become later? Since pediatric melanoma is rare, it is important to be aware about it. 

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