Spontaneous regression of transplacental metastases from maternal melanoma in a newborn: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We describe a rare case of transplacental-transmitted maternal melanoma to the placenta and foetus during the second pregnancy of a 28-year-old woman. She was aware of a greyish-brown nodular lesion on the right gluteus during her first pregnancy. On histological examination, this lesion resulted to be an amelanocitic melanoma. Breast metastases occurred during her second pregnancy, 18 months after the surgical excision; an emergency Caesarean section performed for the recrudement of her clinical conditions confirmed widespread metastases to the liver, spleen and peritoneum. The patient died 2 weeks after delivery. The newborn, at 3 months of age, presented metastases secondary to maternal melanoma, which were resistant to chemotherapy. The disease regressed spontaneously and the child is now 24 months, alive in complete remission.

Prognosis of Patients with Transected Melanomas

“…The weakened immune response in older patients may explain why regression occurred less in their transected tumors. Rare reports have described complete regression of metastatic melanoma …”

Immunology of a Transmissible Cancer Spreading among Tasmanian Devils

“…In combination, these simultaneous requirements make the development of transmissible tumors extremely unlikely. Examples in humans are limited, but include maternal-fetal transfer of melanoma in utero (2), as well as those resulting from a medical procedure such as transplantation where the recipient is immunosuppressed (3) or closely related to the donor (4). In human cases, transmission to tertiary individuals has not been documented.…”

Malignant Skin Tumors in Children

“…Atypical morphological features are more frequently seen in children. Congenital MMs are also very rarely seen, can present de novo [ 49 ], in neonates with giant CMN [ 50 ], and may be secondary to transplacental metastasis from an affected mother [ 51 ].…”