Pregnancy and exogenous hormones in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.

In this article, recent literature is reviewed with regard to possible hormonal influences on susceptibility to melanoma and prognosis once melanoma is developed. At the present time, there is little data to suggest that melanoma and pregnancy interact as far as prognosis is concerned for patients with stage 1 and stage 2 disease. Recent data have provided further reassurance that oral contraceptives are safe for patients who have had melanoma, and more data is required before a definitive statement can be made regarding hormone replacement therapy for women who have had stage 1 or 2 melanoma adequately treated.