Melanoma During Pregnancy as a Complicated Medical Problem

Abstract

ABSTRACT Importance Pregnancy-associated melanomas (PAMs)—this is how melanomas identified during the childbearing years or up to 1 year after birth have been defined, accounting for one third of women in whom it is diagnosed. The exact epidemiology of melanoma is difficult to determine. However, its incidence is undoubtedly increasing, most likely related to the increasing age of mothers. Objective The purpose of this study was to review the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment; the effect of melanoma on pregnancy; and the effect of pregnancy on melanoma and melanocytic lesions. Evidence Acquisition An extensive manual search of major electronic databases was conducted in January 2022. The following literature review provides comprehensive coverage of PAMs. Results Any new nevus detected during pregnancy and changes in the nevus regarding color, diameter, symmetry, or lesion border require medical evaluation. New therapies for malignant melanoma, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have improved overall survival and progression-free survival, but their use is often contraindicated in pregnant patients. Melanoma is considered to be the neoplasm most commonly involving the fetus and placenta. Conclusions There are reports where immunotherapy and targeted therapy used in the patient were not associated with serious consequences for the fetus, being a therapeutic option for the patient. The described cases of pregnancy outcome during modern melanoma treatment are extremely important and may allow to shape the optimal therapeutic regimen in pregnant women with melanoma. Relevance Education of pregnant women in the context of observation of skin lesions as well as maintenance of oncological vigilance by physicians seem to be an important element in limiting difficult decisions related to therapy of more advanced disease. Further large-scale studies using modern treatment in pregnant women with melanoma are needed. Target Audience Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians. Learning Objectives After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to describe the importance of oncologic vigilance in the context of developing melanoma in a pregnant woman; discuss the need for further research on the use of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in pregnant women with melanoma; and explain the need for oncologic vigilance in the context of melanoma in children of mothers who developed melanoma during pregnancy.