Pregnancy and borderline pigmented lesions of the skin

Abstract

Skin cancer melanoma or non-melanoma has an increasing incidence, without excluding the group of women of fertile age. In addition, skin cancer also bears a great burden on the quality of life of the patients and potentially also of their off-springs. The melanocyte derived lesions solely raised the question regarding the role of pregnancy in the nevi change and the potential risk for melanoma during pregnancy. There is substantial evidence that melanocytes present a response to the pregnancy hormones fluctuating levels. The keratinocyte cancers development seems to be associated to hormonal exposure as well. Although this non melanoma skin neoplasm represents a disease of old age, women complete their families later in life nowadays, thus the risk for keratinocyte cancers is elevated. Along with other risk behaviors such as tanning beds use during teenage increase the risk for pregnancy associated melanoma. Screening for skin cancer before, during and after pregnancy is a noninvasive maneuver, which can identify suspicious lesions. These lesions are usually excised leading to prevention of the undesired effects of a potential cancer during gestation.