Pregnancy and hormonal influences on malignant melanoma

Halo cutaneous melanoma developed in a 30-year-old woman. Following wide excision of the melanoma, she remained clinically free of tumor for 5 years. In a subsequent pregnancy, she developed metastases to the liver which became evident in the immediate postpartum period. Long-term survival associated with cutaneous hypopigmentation has been reported and occurred in our patient. The interaction between hormonal and immunologic factors and melanoma is explored.