[The indispensable anamnesis: in-vitro fertilization in a woman under treatment for melanoma]

A couple consulted the gynaecologist repeatedly because of a primary fertility disorder. When they had desired children for 8 years, no pregnancy had yet occurred. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was started. A few days after the beginning of the hormonal treatment that precedes the IVF procedure, the woman noted a swelling in the right inguinal area for which she consulted the surgeon. This swelling was found to be a metastasis of a melanoma that had been removed from her leg 6 months previously. The gynaecologist was not aware of this case history and the surgeon was not informed of the started IVF treatment. As was found later, this was in accordance with the couple's wishes. The first IVF treatment resulted in a pregnancy that ended with the birth of a healthy boy. The placenta showed melanomatous metastases and the mother died 2 months after the birth of her son.