title: Frequency and characteristics of familial melanoma in Spain: the FAM-GEM-1 Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Familial history of melanoma is a well-known risk factor for the disease, and 7% melanoma patients were reported to have a family history of melanoma. Data relating to the frequency and clinical and pathological characteristics of both familial and non-familial melanoma in Spain have been published, but these only include patients from specific areas of Spain and do not represent the data for the whole of Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study conducted by the Spanish Group of Melanoma (GEM) analyzed the family history of patients diagnosed with melanoma between 2011 and 2013 in the dermatology and oncology departments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 1047 patients were analyzed, and 69 (6.6%) fulfilled criteria for classical familial melanoma (two or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with melanoma). Taking into account other risk factors for familial melanoma, such as multiple melanoma, pancreatic cancer in the family or second-degree relatives with melanoma, the number of patients fulfilling the criteria increased to 165 (15.8%). Using a univariate analysis, we determined that a Breslow index of less than 1 mm, negative mitosis, multiple melanoma, and a history of sunburns in childhood were more frequent in familial melanoma patients, but a multivariate analysis revealed no differences in any pathological or clinical factor between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to that observed in other countries, familial melanoma accounts for 6.6% of melanoma diagnoses in Spain. Although no differences in the multivariate analysis were found, some better prognosis factors, such as Breslow index, seem more frequent in familial melanoma, which reflect a better early detection marker and/or a different biological behavior.
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Iván
authors: I
authors: Márquez-Rodas
authors: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Martín González
authors: Servicio de Dermatología, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Nagore
authors: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Gómez-Fernández
authors: Servicio de Dermatología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jose Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Avilés-Izquierdo
authors: Servicio de Deramtología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Cayetana
authors: C
authors: Maldonado-Seral
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Virtudes
authors: V
authors: Soriano
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médcica, Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Majem-Tarruella
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital General de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Virginia
authors: V
authors: Palomar
authors: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Rocio
authors: R
authors: Maseda
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital de San Pedro, Logroño, Spain.
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Martín-Carnicero
authors: Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Puertolas
authors: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijon, Spain.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Godoy
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucia, Cartagena, Spain.
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Cerezuela
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Instituto Catalan de Oncología, Hospitalet, Spain.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Ochoa de Olza
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Lucus Augusti, Lugo, Spain.
authors: Begoña
authors: B
authors: Campos
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella, Spain.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Perez-Ruiz
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Ainara
authors: A
authors: Soria
authors: Servicio de Oncología Medica, Hospital Reina Sofía, Tudela, Spain.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Gil-Arnaiz
authors: Servico de Oncología Médica, Instituto Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Gonzalez-Cao
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital de Elda, Alicante, Spain.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Galvez
authors: Servicio de Oncología Medica, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Arance
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Clínica Oncogranada, Granada, Spain.
authors: Joaquin
authors: J
authors: Belon
authors: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Virgen de la Macarena, Sevilla, Spain.
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: de la Cruz-Merino
authors: Departamento de Oncología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors: Salvador
authors: S
authors: Martín-Algarra
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D000096142:Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma