Melanoma while pregnant: what to know

Pregnancy does not make a changing pigmented mark safe to ignore. A dermatologist examines the skin and may remove a suspicious lesion so it can be examined. The pathology result helps the team understand whether melanoma is present and how deeply it has grown.

Care may involve dermatology, surgical oncology, obstetrics and, when needed, maternal-fetal medicine. The safest plan depends on the pregnancy stage, the lesion’s features and whether there is evidence of spread. Some medicines used for advanced melanoma are not suitable during pregnancy, so treatment timing and alternatives require a specialist discussion.

Arrange an urgent appointment for a new or changing mole, a dark area that bleeds, or a mark that differs from your other moles. Take dated photographs if the appearance changes, but do not delay an examination while monitoring it.

Bring your pregnancy details, medicines, previous skin biopsy reports and family history. Ask whether excisional surgery is appropriate and how any procedure, anaesthetic or imaging will be adapted. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be discussed for selected melanomas; the timing and value are individual decisions.

Contact a dermatologist promptly for a rapidly changing lesion, an irregular dark band, persistent bleeding, crusting or a sore that does not heal. Seek urgent medical help for severe bleeding, marked swelling, fever after a procedure, or pregnancy symptoms such as heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain or reduced fetal movement.

Ask which biopsy is needed, what the pathology will show, whether surgery can proceed during pregnancy, and which scans or medicines should wait until after delivery. Clarify how your obstetric team will be involved and how follow-up will be organised.