title: Familial skin cancer syndromes: Increased melanoma risk.
abstract: Phenotypic traits, such as red hair and freckling, increase melanoma risk by 2- to 3-fold. In addition, approximately 10% of melanomas are caused by inherited germline mutations that increase melanoma risk from 4- to >1000-fold. This review highlights the key genes responsible for inherited melanoma, with an emphasis on when a patient should undergo genetic testing. Many genetic syndromes associated with increased melanoma risk are also associated with an increased risk of other cancers. Identification of these high-risk patients is essential for preventive behavior reinforcement, genetic counseling, and ensuring other required cancer screenings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Katherine J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ransohoff
authors.forename: Prajakta D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Jaju
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Prajaka D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Jaju
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Jean Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Sancy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leachman
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California. Electronic address: ksarin@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Kavita Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Sarin
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012306:Risk; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: genetic syndromes; genetics; inherited cancer risk; melanoma; oncogenes; skin cancer; tumor suppressor