Malignant Melanoma while pregnant
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Malignant Melanoma while pregnant

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Malignant Melanoma while pregnant

  • Post
    • September 19, 2012 at 6:12 pm
    cemcnair
    Participant

    New to this board. I had a mole removed last Wednesday because I'd noticed it'd gotten darker and not evenly so. It came back as a malignant melanoma. I am 15 weeks pregnant. They want to remove more tissue in three weeks which seems like a fairly minor procedure. I am very concerned though because I have read that melanoma can cross the placenta to the fetus. Does anyone have more information on this? Should I inform my OB? What are the real risks to my baby?!?

    Thank you.

    New to this board. I had a mole removed last Wednesday because I'd noticed it'd gotten darker and not evenly so. It came back as a malignant melanoma. I am 15 weeks pregnant. They want to remove more tissue in three weeks which seems like a fairly minor procedure. I am very concerned though because I have read that melanoma can cross the placenta to the fetus. Does anyone have more information on this? Should I inform my OB? What are the real risks to my baby?!?

    Thank you.

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 19, 2012 at 6:22 pm
      MichaelFL
      Participant

      I see you have not filled out a profile-what was your Breslow depth and staging etc? Guessing stage one since only a WLE or what is called a wide local excision is being performed. 

      Yes, inform your doctor.

      As a doctor would say it is "highly unlikely", but there is small chance it can cross the placenta. But one also has to take into consideration that this is usually for stage four, and in your case the melanoma has most likely not even gone through all your layers of skin yet, let alone your lymph nodes, organs or found it's way to your placenta.

      I suspect based on your staging, you and your baby will be just fine.

      Congratulations!

        • September 19, 2012 at 6:34 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you! I have no inofrmation on anything right now. Just got a call that I need to come in and have it excised (if that is even the right word). I just had a skin scrape done last Wednesday, I have no other information on stage or anything. Just a freaked out mom.

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Yes, it is called a wide local excision.

        You may wish to get a copy of your pathology report and post it here so someone can assist you further. When lookin at it.hat is called the Breslow depth is the most important factor. It shows how deeep the melanoma has gone into your skin and will most likely be in Millimeters.

        It should also tell you your staging. You may wish to ask your doctor about breslow depth, staging, ulceration and mitotic rate.

        I suspect you have a low risk lesion.

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:01 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        "when looking at it, what is" typo

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:01 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        "when looking at it, what is" typo

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:01 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        "when looking at it, what is" typo

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you again. I will ask about all of this now (I had no idea what to even ask about before). I'm sure that until the excision, they will not know either.

        I really appreciate your response.

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you again. I will ask about all of this now (I had no idea what to even ask about before). I'm sure that until the excision, they will not know either.

        I really appreciate your response.

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:50 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you again. I will ask about all of this now (I had no idea what to even ask about before). I'm sure that until the excision, they will not know either.

        I really appreciate your response.

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Yes, it is called a wide local excision.

        You may wish to get a copy of your pathology report and post it here so someone can assist you further. When lookin at it.hat is called the Breslow depth is the most important factor. It shows how deeep the melanoma has gone into your skin and will most likely be in Millimeters.

        It should also tell you your staging. You may wish to ask your doctor about breslow depth, staging, ulceration and mitotic rate.

        I suspect you have a low risk lesion.

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:00 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

        Yes, it is called a wide local excision.

        You may wish to get a copy of your pathology report and post it here so someone can assist you further. When lookin at it.hat is called the Breslow depth is the most important factor. It shows how deeep the melanoma has gone into your skin and will most likely be in Millimeters.

        It should also tell you your staging. You may wish to ask your doctor about breslow depth, staging, ulceration and mitotic rate.

        I suspect you have a low risk lesion.

        • September 19, 2012 at 6:34 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you! I have no inofrmation on anything right now. Just got a call that I need to come in and have it excised (if that is even the right word). I just had a skin scrape done last Wednesday, I have no other information on stage or anything. Just a freaked out mom.

        • September 19, 2012 at 6:34 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you! I have no inofrmation on anything right now. Just got a call that I need to come in and have it excised (if that is even the right word). I just had a skin scrape done last Wednesday, I have no other information on stage or anything. Just a freaked out mom.

      • September 19, 2012 at 6:22 pm
      MichaelFL
      Participant

      I see you have not filled out a profile-what was your Breslow depth and staging etc? Guessing stage one since only a WLE or what is called a wide local excision is being performed. 

      Yes, inform your doctor.

      As a doctor would say it is "highly unlikely", but there is small chance it can cross the placenta. But one also has to take into consideration that this is usually for stage four, and in your case the melanoma has most likely not even gone through all your layers of skin yet, let alone your lymph nodes, organs or found it's way to your placenta.

      I suspect based on your staging, you and your baby will be just fine.

      Congratulations!

      • September 19, 2012 at 6:22 pm
      MichaelFL
      Participant

      I see you have not filled out a profile-what was your Breslow depth and staging etc? Guessing stage one since only a WLE or what is called a wide local excision is being performed. 

      Yes, inform your doctor.

      As a doctor would say it is "highly unlikely", but there is small chance it can cross the placenta. But one also has to take into consideration that this is usually for stage four, and in your case the melanoma has most likely not even gone through all your layers of skin yet, let alone your lymph nodes, organs or found it's way to your placenta.

      I suspect based on your staging, you and your baby will be just fine.

      Congratulations!

      • September 19, 2012 at 7:34 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      This sounds like an early stage lesion.  The excision itself should not affect the pregnancy.  The real worry for pregancy would be if you are stage IV.  If you were an advanced stage, then this would be of concern.  If you are really worried about this (what pregnant woman isn't), then you can have the placenta tested after you give birth.  The reality is that this HAS happened, but the incidence rates seen are about 10 women in the last 30 years???  I don't have the exact numbers at my fingers right now, but this is EXTREMELY rare and you are not an advanced stage and THAT is when the risk increases.

      Best wishes,

      Janner

      • September 19, 2012 at 7:34 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      This sounds like an early stage lesion.  The excision itself should not affect the pregnancy.  The real worry for pregancy would be if you are stage IV.  If you were an advanced stage, then this would be of concern.  If you are really worried about this (what pregnant woman isn't), then you can have the placenta tested after you give birth.  The reality is that this HAS happened, but the incidence rates seen are about 10 women in the last 30 years???  I don't have the exact numbers at my fingers right now, but this is EXTREMELY rare and you are not an advanced stage and THAT is when the risk increases.

      Best wishes,

      Janner

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:54 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you! I have a lot of questions to ask my dermatologist and OB now. Probably if it is just Stage 1, I will feel more reassured. I really do thank you for your answer!!

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:54 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you! I have a lot of questions to ask my dermatologist and OB now. Probably if it is just Stage 1, I will feel more reassured. I really do thank you for your answer!!

        • September 19, 2012 at 7:54 pm
        cemcnair
        Participant

        Thank you! I have a lot of questions to ask my dermatologist and OB now. Probably if it is just Stage 1, I will feel more reassured. I really do thank you for your answer!!

      • September 19, 2012 at 7:34 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      This sounds like an early stage lesion.  The excision itself should not affect the pregnancy.  The real worry for pregancy would be if you are stage IV.  If you were an advanced stage, then this would be of concern.  If you are really worried about this (what pregnant woman isn't), then you can have the placenta tested after you give birth.  The reality is that this HAS happened, but the incidence rates seen are about 10 women in the last 30 years???  I don't have the exact numbers at my fingers right now, but this is EXTREMELY rare and you are not an advanced stage and THAT is when the risk increases.

      Best wishes,

      Janner

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