Choroidal Melanoma During Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of a woman diagnosed with choroidal melanoma during pregnancy, as well as review similar cases published in the literature. The prevalence, risk factors, treatment, prognosis, and outcomes of choroidal melanoma in pregnancy are addressed.Methods: An extensive search of the literature was conducted by accessing PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases in January 2018 to identify cases of choroidal or uveal melanoma diagnosed during pregnancy.Patient: A 37-year-old white woman pregnant with twins and diagnosed with choroidal melanoma.Results: Choroidal melanoma in pregnancy has a prevalence ranging from 4.3% to 7.5% among women of childbearing age with the disease. Pregnancy has been linked to increased incidence of choroidal melanoma, but female hormones have not been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Other factors such as melanocytestimulation hormone and fetal-induced angiogenesis may be implicated. Choroidal melanoma in pregnancy has not resulted in a worse maternal or fetal outcome.Conclusion: Although rare, choroidal melanoma in pregnancy is a clinical challenge. Management of these patients should be tailored to maternal and fetal needs.

Is Uveal Melanoma a Hormonally Sensitive Cancer? A Review of the Impact of Sex Hormones and Pregnancy on Uveal Melanoma

“…Reviewing the literature revealed 10 case series (38 women total, Table 1) describing rapid growth of UM during pregnancy, often requiring enucleation [1-11]. Rate of enucleation may be a measure of how aggressive tumors were.…”