[Familial-hereditary malignant melanoma (author's transl)]

Abstract

The existence of familial-hereditary malignant melanoma can be accepted for sure. Its frequency is estimated with 1 to 7% of all malignant melanomas. An autosomal-dominant mode of inheritance with reduced penetrance or a polygenetic mode of inheritance are discussed. Patients with numerous inherited, clinical and histological atypical naevi, the so called BK-moles, are reported to have a high incidence of malignant melanoma. Hereditary malignant melanomas begin early in life, have a high frequency of multiple primary lesions and show the coincidence of other malignant tumors in this families. Men are affected as often as women. Five own families are described and a review of the literature is given.