Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:49
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Malignant melanoma and pregnancy: second thoughts.
Ehud Miller1, Yoav Barnea, Eyal Gur
1Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Summary
Pregnancy may negatively impact malignant melanoma (MM) progression. This study found higher rates of metastasis in pregnant patients with MM compared to non-pregnant individuals, suggesting a potential link.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Malignant melanoma (MM) has been historically considered hormone-sensitive, with pregnancy often suspected of exacerbating its progression and metastasis.
- Previous studies yielded conflicting results regarding the impact of pregnancy on melanoma outcomes, with some suggesting no significant difference in survival rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of pregnancy on the clinical course and outcomes of malignant melanoma.
- To compare melanoma characteristics and patient survival between pregnant and non-pregnant individuals.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MM patients diagnosed during or within six months post-pregnancy (n=11) and age-matched non-pregnant controls (n=65).
- Comparison of mean Breslow thickness, sentinel lymph node metastasis rates, and overall survival between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Pregnant patients exhibited a higher rate of sentinel lymph node metastasis (p<0.0001).
- While Breslow thickness was not significantly different (p=0.15), there was a trend towards poorer survival in the pregnant group (p=0.0532).
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy appears to have a detrimental effect on the course of malignant melanoma.
- The findings suggest closer monitoring of melanoma patients during and after pregnancy is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:19Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
The nursing management of Mitral Valve Prolapse, or MVP, centers around patient education, symptom monitoring, and lifestyle modifications.Patient Education on MVP Diagnosis and Heredity: Nurses should provide comprehensive education about MVP, a condition where the mitral valve does not close appropriately during heartbeats. This education often includes the condition's pathophysiology, symptoms, and potential complications, like arrhythmias or mitral regurgitation. Though not fully...
01:19Pigmentation
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...