Black patches on children's skin are not only cosmetic but also pose a potential risk of cancer.

A dark spot, a black patch on a baby's skin from birth, at first glance seems harmless, but it can potentially pose a risk of skin cancer.

Wrinkles can appear in many places on the body - Photo: BVCC

According to plastic surgery experts at Bach Mai Hospital, the rate of congenital melanocytic nevus (nevus) in newborns ranges from 0.2% to 1%.

Most small and medium lesions do not have a major impact, but large (>20cm) and giant (>40cm or occupying ≥2% of the child's body surface) lesions are a danger that requires special attention, because they can transform into malignant melanoma - the most malignant form of skin cancer.

According to experts, congenital melanoma is formed from mutations in the NRAS or BRAF genes during the embryonic period, leading to abnormal proliferation of pigment cells (melanocytes) under the skin.

Lesions can be flat or raised, light brown, dark brown or black, hairy, widespread. They can appear anywhere, from the face, trunk, arms and legs, even covering an entire area of ​​the body.

Unlike normal birthmarks, these microscopic nodules develop as the child grows, can cause inflammation, ulcers, secondary infections, affect movement or deform functional areas (face, neck, limbs), severely affecting the child's psychology and self-confidence.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thi Viet Dung - Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Bach Mai Hospital - shared the case of a 5-year-old girl with a giant pigmented nodule covering her entire right arm and elbow, measuring up to 26cm. The nodule is dark black, thick-skinned, hairy, and has dozens of satellite nodules on her lower limbs.

Using the skin expansion technique, doctors had to perform surgery 3 times for the child. Step by step, they placed a skin expansion bag on the back ribs, creating a skin flap to cover the injury to help maintain the function and shape of the child's arm, minimizing ugly scars, ensuring aesthetics.

Another case is a 7-year-old girl with a giant cyst on her back measuring 36 x 45cm, spreading from the right anterior abdominal area to the left lumbar area.

The patient was treated with 7 partial excisions (about 7 months/time). The elasticity of the child's skin was used to close the defect without the need for skin grafting. When the patient was 11 years old, the entire nodule was completely removed without complications.

Dr. Dung recommends that the ideal time for intervention is before the child is 3-6 years old, helping the child go to school with a healthy appearance and avoiding inferiority complex.

"Especially with large cysts that require multiple surgeries, early treatment initiation is extremely important. However, safe anesthesia for young children also needs to be carefully considered. Usually, doctors rarely intervene before 18 months, unless there are risk factors that require early intervention," said Dr. Dung.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/mang-den-tren-da-tre-khong-chi-la-tham-my-ma-con-tiem-an-nguy-co-ung-thu-20250626162933025.htm