Melanoma during pregnancy: what to know

Pregnancy may darken or enlarge some harmless marks, making a new or changing lesion harder to judge by appearance alone. A dermatologist may examine it with magnification and recommend a biopsy when the finding is concerning. Local anaesthetic and a skin biopsy can often be discussed during pregnancy; your dermatologist and maternity team can coordinate the timing and method.

If melanoma is confirmed, the result depends on features such as tumour thickness, ulceration and whether cells have reached nearby lymph nodes. An excision removes the melanoma with a margin of surrounding skin. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be considered in selected cases, with pregnancy-specific planning.

Arrange a prompt skin examination for a mole that changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds, crusts, or remains unlike your other marks. Do not wait until after delivery to mention a suspicious lesion. Bring your pregnancy details, medicines and any earlier photographs of the area.

Treatment choices are individual. Surgery may be discussed during pregnancy, while some scans or medicines require careful timing. Immunotherapy and other systemic treatments need specialist review because pregnancy can alter their safety and timing.

Contact a dermatologist promptly for a rapidly changing, bleeding or non-healing pigmented lesion. Seek urgent medical help for heavy bleeding from the lesion, severe pain, sudden visual or neurological symptoms, or symptoms that feel immediately dangerous. These warning signs do not establish melanoma, but they should not be ignored.

Ask whether the lesion needs biopsy now, how the procedure will be coordinated with maternity care, what the pathology report shows, and which imaging or treatment options fit your stage and pregnancy. Ask how appointments will be arranged after delivery.