Pregnancy and estrogen receptor beta expression in a large congenital nevus

Arch Dermatol. 2009 Jun;145(6):691-4. doi: 10.1001/archdermatol.2009.72.

Abstract

Background: Large congenital nevi carry a slightly increased risk of melanoma. Pregnancy poses an additional challenge in the monitoring of these patients because little is known regarding the effects of increased estrogen levels on congenital nevi.

Observations: A young woman was observed to have clinical lightening of her garment nevus and satellite nevi during 2 sequential pregnancies. Postpartum, the patient experienced darkening and repigmentation in her large garment nevus, with continued lightening of nearby satellite lesions. In addition to photographic documentation of these changes, biopsy samples taken during pregnant and nonpregnant periods underwent immunohistochemical evaluation for estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta), the predominant estrogen receptor in nevi and melanomas. Biopsy samples collected during pregnancy showed a decrease in nuclear staining for ERbeta compared with samples collected after pregnancy. These changes in ERbeta expression were not associated with histologic atypia during pregnancy or after delivery.

Conclusions: Congenital nevi may be unique in their response to altered estrogen levels. Given the slightly increased risk of melanoma in giant congenital nevi and the dearth of information available regarding the effects of pregnancy on congenital nevi, this case illustrates the need for further study of these pigmented lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / blood
  • Estrogen Receptor beta / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Nevus, Pigmented / congenital
  • Nevus, Pigmented / metabolism*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Parity
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Neoplasms / congenital
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Estrogen Receptor beta