Is Skin Cancer Genetic?
40-50% of Americans who live to the age of 65 will have skin cancer
at least once. The most common types of skin cancer in the United
States are basal
cell carcinoma and squamous
cell carcinomas. These are referred to as non-melanoma
skin cancers and are generally the result of sun exposure. Learn
more about the effects
of UV exposure.
Approximately one in 60 people will develop invasive, cutaneous
melanoma during their lifetime. Malignant melanoma is a cancer that
begins in the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. In
fair-complexioned individuals worldwide, the majority of melanoma
cases are related to environmental factors such as excessive
ultraviolet radiation (sun exposure). However, about 5-10% of melanoma
cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. In other words,
parents with a defined genetic mutation have a 50/50 chance to pass on
the susceptibility to each of their children regardless of gender.
Learn more about melanoma.
One type of hereditary melanoma, called the familial atypical
mole-melanoma syndrome (FAM-M syndrome), may be caused by mutations in
the CDKN2A gene on chromosome 9, also known as the p16 mutation. This
mutation may be present in up to 40% of the familial cases of
melanoma, and testing for the p16 mutation should be considered in the
setting of a strong family history of melanoma. Mutations in p16
result in unregulated cell growth. Persons with a p16 mutation have an
increased lifetime risk of developing melanoma as well as a
potentially increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. At
present, genetic testing for the p16 mutation should be performed only
in the context of a clinical trial or through an established genetics
clinic that allows for patient counseling and long term follow-up.
Learn more about genetic
testing or make an appointment with our experts at the Skin
Cancer Program.