title: Malignant melanoma of the vagina in pregnancy: description of a clinical case.
abstract: Vaginal melanoma in pregnancy is a rare but extremely malignant tumour for which the prognosis is worsened by the fact that pregnancy increases the secretion of Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH). The clinical case is described of a malignant vaginal melanoma in a 27 year-old woman in her 38th week of gestation, who was referred for slight vaginal bleeding. Clinical examination revealed a 3 cm pedunculate tumour on the anterior wall of the vagina. Vaginal cytology suggested a melanoma and instrumental examination failed to reveal any lymph node involvement. The vaginal tumour was removed during a caesarean section and subsequent histological examination identified it as a Breslow Stage II malignant melanoma. A 24-month follow-up showed the patient to have been completely cured.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Faculty of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, II University of Naples.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zarcone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardone
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*