Patients and Physicians Should Remain Vigilant of Changing Skin Lesions During Pregnancy

Any changes in a nevus during pregnancy requires medical attention, but treating melanoma during pregnancy is a complicated medical problem because immunotherapies are contraindicated, according to a recent study published in Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey.

Researchers aimed to review the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment; the effect of melanoma on pregnancy; and the effect of pregnancy on melanoma and melanocytic lesions by performing an extensive manual search of major electronic databases in January 2022.

Medical evaluation is required for any new nevus detected during pregnancy and changes in the nevus regarding color, diameter, symmetry, or lesion border. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy have improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with malignant melanoma, but their use during pregnancy is contraindicated.

“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,” concluded the study authors. “The described cases of pregnancy outcome during modern melanoma treatment are extremely important and may [help] shape the optimal therapeutic regimen in pregnant women with melanoma,” they added.

Reference
Kościelecka K, Kubik-Machura D, Kuć A, Furmanek F, Męcik-Kronenberg T. Melanoma during pregnancy as a complicated medical problem. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2023;78(2):115-123. doi:10.1097/OGX.0000000000001109