Familial Melanoma

Overview

FAMMM syndrome. An inherited condition marked by the following: (1) one or more first- or second-degree relatives (parent, sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, or uncle) with malignant melanoma; (2) many moles, some of which are atypical (asymmetrical, raised, and/or different shades of tan, brown, black, or red) and often of different sizes; and (3) moles that have specific features when examined under a microscope. FAMMM syndrome increases the risk of melanoma and may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer .

Prognosis

If melanoma is identified at an early stage the disease has a good clinical outcome. On the other hand, life expectancy figures drop quickly with an increasing thickness of the tumour (approximately 55% 5 year survival with thickness over 1.5 mm). Early recognition of melanoma, or even better so, early recognition of precursor lesions of melanoma by skin screening for those at risk is therefore of utmost importance.

Treatment

Yearly surveillance of melanoma patients and their first- and second-degree relatives from age 12 onwards.