Multiple primary melanoma

BACKGROUND. Incidence rates of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) have been increasing for decades among Caucasian populations worldwide. Multiple fac tors identify persons at increased risk of CMM, including those with a fami ly history of melanoma and those with atypical moles. Approximately 6-12% o f melanomas are familial and approximately 12% of patients with familial me lanoma have multiple primary melanomas. OBJECTIVE. TO report a case of a patient with atypical moles and with 17 mu ltiple primary melanomas. To review the literature on multiple primary mela nomas as well as to review the genetics and treatment of melanoma. CONCLUSION. Patients with numerous atypical moles and a family or personal history of melanoma are at greatest risk for developing CMM. Patients from this population tend to develop CMM approximately 10 years earlier than the general population and have an increased risk for developing multiple prim ary melanomas. Since genetic tests capable of detecting individuals with an inherited susceptibility to CMM are not available, it is important to iden tify those patients with an increased risk and monitor them closely with re gular total-body examinations.