Upgraded to stage III and not done yet…

I am sorry that you have been changed to Stage III, but am pleased you are seeking care at a good center.

It is possible for melanoma cells to transfer from a mom to a fetus, but this is very, very rare. I have known a number of women who were either diagnosed with melanoma during or just after pregnancy, of have had a recurrence during that time. None of the people I know had babies born with melanoma. I know the people at Addison's Army, named for a little girl who contracted melanoma in the womb; as I said, it does happen. Again, though, it is very rare.

I suggest you focus on your treatment and care. By all means ask your treatment team about this and get their input, but I don't think you need to worry about this.

You may want to reach out to Brenda who runs our pediatric melanoma program. She is in touch with a lot of families who have children with melanoma and will likely have a good understanding of this. You can email her at [email protected].

Tim–MRF

I am sorry that you have been changed to Stage III, but am pleased you are seeking care at a good center.

It is possible for melanoma cells to transfer from a mom to a fetus, but this is very, very rare. I have known a number of women who were either diagnosed with melanoma during or just after pregnancy, of have had a recurrence during that time. None of the people I know had babies born with melanoma. I know the people at Addison's Army, named for a little girl who contracted melanoma in the womb; as I said, it does happen. Again, though, it is very rare.

I suggest you focus on your treatment and care. By all means ask your treatment team about this and get their input, but I don't think you need to worry about this.

You may want to reach out to Brenda who runs our pediatric melanoma program. She is in touch with a lot of families who have children with melanoma and will likely have a good understanding of this. You can email her at [email protected].

Tim–MRF

I am sorry that you have been changed to Stage III, but am pleased you are seeking care at a good center.

It is possible for melanoma cells to transfer from a mom to a fetus, but this is very, very rare. I have known a number of women who were either diagnosed with melanoma during or just after pregnancy, of have had a recurrence during that time. None of the people I know had babies born with melanoma. I know the people at Addison's Army, named for a little girl who contracted melanoma in the womb; as I said, it does happen. Again, though, it is very rare.

I suggest you focus on your treatment and care. By all means ask your treatment team about this and get their input, but I don't think you need to worry about this.

You may want to reach out to Brenda who runs our pediatric melanoma program. She is in touch with a lot of families who have children with melanoma and will likely have a good understanding of this. You can email her at [email protected].

Tim–MRF

I don't know about transferring melanoma in utero but I do know that some types of melanoma may have a genetic component.  I had melanoma in situ when I was 16.  I had my daughter when I was 30.  At 24 she developed melanoma (stage III).  I don't remember that they told me what type of melanoma I had but it was in an existing mole as was my daughters.  Hers was diagnosed as nodular type which is not from sun exposure.  I don't say this to frighten you and you may have a differnet type of melanoma but it is something to be aware of.

I don't know about transferring melanoma in utero but I do know that some types of melanoma may have a genetic component.  I had melanoma in situ when I was 16.  I had my daughter when I was 30.  At 24 she developed melanoma (stage III).  I don't remember that they told me what type of melanoma I had but it was in an existing mole as was my daughters.  Hers was diagnosed as nodular type which is not from sun exposure.  I don't say this to frighten you and you may have a differnet type of melanoma but it is something to be aware of.

I don't know about transferring melanoma in utero but I do know that some types of melanoma may have a genetic component.  I had melanoma in situ when I was 16.  I had my daughter when I was 30.  At 24 she developed melanoma (stage III).  I don't remember that they told me what type of melanoma I had but it was in an existing mole as was my daughters.  Hers was diagnosed as nodular type which is not from sun exposure.  I don't say this to frighten you and you may have a differnet type of melanoma but it is something to be aware of.

About 8 months after having my first I was diagnosed with stage Ib. A year later I was halfway through my second pregnancy and found an enlarged lymph node. After my son's birth (December 2014) I found out my melanoma had metastasized throughout my body, including to my liver. 

After doctoring at Mayo Clinic and being extremely unhappy with my care, I switched to MD Anderson. (I'm there right now for scans.) I love MDA. My doctor, Isabella Glitza, is awesome. I've had contact with about 4 of the melanoma specialists here and have nothing but good things to say about all of them. 

One thing I really appreciate about the doctors here is that they were the first to agree with my suspicions that my pregnancy had something to do with my melanoma. Basically they explained that I probably had melanoma in my body but my pregnancy helped speed up the growth.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Best of luck!

About 8 months after having my first I was diagnosed with stage Ib. A year later I was halfway through my second pregnancy and found an enlarged lymph node. After my son's birth (December 2014) I found out my melanoma had metastasized throughout my body, including to my liver. 

After doctoring at Mayo Clinic and being extremely unhappy with my care, I switched to MD Anderson. (I'm there right now for scans.) I love MDA. My doctor, Isabella Glitza, is awesome. I've had contact with about 4 of the melanoma specialists here and have nothing but good things to say about all of them. 

One thing I really appreciate about the doctors here is that they were the first to agree with my suspicions that my pregnancy had something to do with my melanoma. Basically they explained that I probably had melanoma in my body but my pregnancy helped speed up the growth.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Best of luck!

About 8 months after having my first I was diagnosed with stage Ib. A year later I was halfway through my second pregnancy and found an enlarged lymph node. After my son's birth (December 2014) I found out my melanoma had metastasized throughout my body, including to my liver. 

After doctoring at Mayo Clinic and being extremely unhappy with my care, I switched to MD Anderson. (I'm there right now for scans.) I love MDA. My doctor, Isabella Glitza, is awesome. I've had contact with about 4 of the melanoma specialists here and have nothing but good things to say about all of them. 

One thing I really appreciate about the doctors here is that they were the first to agree with my suspicions that my pregnancy had something to do with my melanoma. Basically they explained that I probably had melanoma in my body but my pregnancy helped speed up the growth.

If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Best of luck!