Ceinical characteristics of the genetic variety of cutaneous melanoma in man

The characteristics of coetaneous melanoma were compared in 106 familial and 2,128 non-familial patients. Familial patients manifested a younger age distribution, a significantly earlier average age at first diagnosis, a significantly increased frequency of multiple primary melanomas, and a significantly higher survival rate than non-familial patients. The genetic mechanism underlying the familial type of melanoma is apparently complex and may involve several autonomic gene loci, in addition to a cytoplasmic component transmitted by an affected or carrier female. The nature of this cytoplasmic component, whether deriving from a cytoplasmic organelle or inclusion, or some other mechanism is still to be determined. The clinical and genetic characteristics were interpreted as indicating a genetic variety of melanoma, but whether it is distinct or a subdivision of the clinical and histologic types of melanoma previously identified will require further study. Awareness and recognition of the genetic variety and its clinical characteristics have important practical relevance to the early detection and control of melanoma.