Pregnancy-associated melanoma epidemiology: A multicentre European study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Melanoma incidence is rising globally, with increasing rates during pregnancy.
• Limited research exists on melanoma in the early postpartum period.
• Pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM) is the most common malignancy during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the epidemiologic and clinicopathologic features of PAM.
• To compare PAM features with melanomas not associated with pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre European study identified 1,270 women aged 15-49 diagnosed with melanoma (2012-2022).
• 70 cases (5.5%) were classified as PAM.
• Comparison of clinical and histopathologic features between PAM and non-PAM groups.

Main Results:

• Women with PAM were younger (mean age 35.7 years) and had more nevi compared to non-PAM patients.
• Most PAMs were superficial spreading (80.0%), with a mean Breslow thickness of 1.16 mm.
• Non-PAM tumors showed significantly denser tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), suggesting a stronger immune response.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy does not seem to negatively impact melanoma prognosis.
• PAM exhibits distinct clinical features, necessitating further research.
• Increased awareness and dermatologic evaluation of suspicious lesions during pregnancy are crucial due to frequent PAM occurrence on pre-existing nevi.