Transplacental Transmission of Natural-Killer-Cell Lymphoma

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Abstract
The placenta is an organ of embryonic origin that supports the growing fetus by facilitating the transfer of nutrients from the mother. It is not well understood how the allogeneic fetus thrives and avoids immune rejection in an environment where only trophoblastic and fetal capillary basement membranes separate the maternal and fetal circulations. Reports of vertical transmission of cancer are exceptionally rare, although maternal cells do reach the fetus1,2 and cancer occurs in nearly 1 in 1000 pregnant women.3-5 Malignant melanoma is the best known example of a cancer that can metastasize to the fetus. We report the transfer to the fetus of an aggressive natural-killer-cell lymphoma in the mother, with fatal consequences to the infant.

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