A Video on the Risks of Melanoma in Babies, Young Children and Adults

 

 

 

 

Pregnant women can pass cancer cells to their unborn children. This occurs in the placenta during development. Recent research has shown that cancer cells are able to  pass through the palcental membranes and infect the fetus. This is highly uncommon and if its does happen it usually involves melanoma. The infliction is not inherited but is caused by a mutated gene in cells passed through the placenta. This can happen if mom has the infliction, but the unborn child’s immune system generally recognizes the cells as foreign and destroy them. If this does not happen then the fetus will have the disease and suffer the symptoms. The Institute of Cancer Research, a college of the University of London has documented this phenomena and confirm that it is possible for this transfer to occur.

A Phoenix Hospital  is currently treating a one year old little girl who acquired melanoma from her mother.  She is being treated with an experimental drug that may prolong her life for one more year. The malignant melanoma has metastisized and spread to her back, thigh, heart, liver, lung, tongue and brain. The ironic thing is that mom was in remission since 2006 and delivered a healthy son. The little girl, however, was not as lucky. Mom died in Feb. 2012 and the prognosis for little Addison is not very good.

 

Mom and Addison show their love

 

Studies show that one-third of all cancers that pass across the placenta are Melanomas. Melanoma is not just skin deep. It spreads to internal organs and eventually will be fatal.

 

 

 

 

Dermatologist Examines for Possible Melanoma

 

 

 

The risk of developing melanoma by not protecting yourself from sun damage is a real concern, but there is always the possibility for pregnant women to pass this along to their babies. If you would like to help Addison and her ……More at Phoenix Hospital Raises Awareness About Addison’s Battle with

 

 

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