title: The genetics of malignant melanomas.
abstract: A review of the hereditary aspects of the malignant melanomas showed causal heterogeneity and similar pathogenesis based on the dysregulation of the paracrine/autocrine growth mechanisms. The genetically different malignant melanomas have a range of recurrence risks from 1% for the nonfamilial, solitary, malignant melanoma to a risk exceeding 70% for the syndromic melanomas of neurocutaneous melanosis and the nine types of xeroderma pigmentosum. A recurrence risk of 6% is relevant to the members of dysplastic nevus syndrome families without malignant melanomas and the risk increases in excess of 50% for the individuals of families with dysplastic nevi and more than one malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Tampa 33612.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kousseff
mesh_terms: D003582:Cytogenetics; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008545:Melanoma / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010641:Phenotype; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances