Melanoma in Pregnancy—Diagnosis, Treatment, and Consequences for Fetal Development and the Maintenance of Pregnancy.

Simple Summary: Pregnancy-associated cancers (PACs) represent a significant clinical problem, due to their possibly delayed diagnosis, limitations of the usage of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and often the necessity to postpone the administration of optimal treatment to the mother until after delivery to protect the health of the fetus. The purpose of this review is to summarize information on the epidemiology, proper diagnosis, and effective treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) during pregnancy. Moreover, our aim is to point out that there are still many topics related to pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM) that require further research. The following article can help clinicians systematize the updated facts from various studies and case-reports as well as advise them that an interdisciplinary approach combined with broad knowledge from different fields of medicine is crucial in the treatment of PAM. Cutaneous malignant melanoma is one of the most common neoplasms among pregnancy-associated cancers (PACs). Risk factors include excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the presence of benign and dysplastic nevi, and a patient or family history of melanoma. Self-examination and careful inspection of nevi are crucial, especially in the context of their progression over time. Physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, such as the darkening and enlargement of the nevi, delay the diagnosis of CMM. In the fetus, metastases are very rare, and if they do occur, they concern the placenta or fetal tissues. The choice of treatment is influenced by the cancer stage, symptoms, the time of termination of pregnancy, and the patient's decision. Essential procedures which are safe for the fetus are diagnostic biopsy, ultrasound, and the therapeutic excision of the lesion and the affected lymph nodes. Other imaging methods can be used with a safe radiation dose limit of 100 mGy. Immunotherapy and targeted treatments must be carefully considered, because of their possible adverse effects on the fetus. An interdisciplinary approach to the problem of melanoma during pregnancy is necessary, involving doctors of various specialties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]