GENETICS OF FAMILIAL ATYPICAL MULTIPLE MOLE-MELANOMA (FAMMM) SYNDROMEIN THE NETHERLANDS - HOW FAR HAVE WE COME

By the genetic localization of the first melanoma susceptibility gene on chromosome 1p we thought that the puzzle on familial melanoma famil ies would soon be solved. Now, almost fifteen years later we have lear ned that inherited melanoma is not a simple genetic disorder and that multiple genes, modifying genes and environmental factors might be inv olved. This paper outlines the current understanding of the genetics o f melanoma and the relationship to atypical nevi based on more than te n years of genetic analysis in the Dutch familial atypical multiple mo le-melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome families.