Genetic and Environmental Influences in the Development of Multiple Primary Melanoma

Abstract

PATIENTS with melanoma are at an increased risk of developing further primary melanomas.¹ As the proportion of thin primary melanomas increases, so does the likelihood of developing a second primary melanoma relative to the risk of recurrence from the original primary. This clearly has implications for follow-up protocols. Although it might be expected that the development of a second primary melanoma would be associated with a worse prognosis, previous studies² have not demonstrated this and the published literature suggests that individuals with multiple primary melanoma (MPM) may even have a better prognosis than those with a single primary tumor.