Skin Cancer Passed Onto Baby Via Placenta

An 8-month old baby has been diagnosed with a deadly skin cancer that was passed on to her by her mother through the placenta during the pregnancy.

Addison Cox became the only ninth known case since 2003 to have developed cancer through the unusual mode. According to her father James Cox, his wife, Briana, suffered from stage IV metastatic melanoma during her pregnancy.

The doctors assured the couple that the cancer would not be transferred to the baby. However three months after Addison was born, she too was diagnosed with stage IV cancer after her parents become suspicious of four bumps on her forehead.

"It flipped our world upside down. First you take a deep breath, then you say a few things that aren't allowed to be said on TV, and then as my wife would say, you suck it up and press on", James said. Briana lost her fight against cancer on February 12 and James, along with friends and relatives, is organizing a fundraiser in order help with the expensive treatment for Addison.



Source: Medindia