Family Syndrome
When atypical moles are found in an individual belonging to a melanoma family, the condition is known as FAMMM, standing for Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome. People with this syndrome are at the greatest risk of developing melanoma. In contrast, a research study found that those family members who did not have atypical moles were much less likely to develop melanoma.
Genetic Risk Factors
A mutation (alteration) in a recently discovered gene, the BRAF, may play a part in causing melanoma. In one study, this mutated gene was found in two-thirds of the melanoma cells analyzed. BRAF is called a "switch" gene, because it turns on to allow the cells to grow and divide. Mutations in this gene can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. The discovery is an exciting research breakthrough, but physicians and patients are still years away from reaping the rewards. Ultimately, the understanding of the BRAF gene could lead to the development of diagnostic tools and drug therapies. The mutations most commonly seen in familial melanoma occur in another gene, p53. When this gene is in its normal state, its main function is to give damaged cells time to repair themselves and not progress to cancer. However, when the gene is altered, it becomes unable to perform this function, and cancer can result. A number of gene mutations in addition to p53 and BRAF have been associated with familial melanoma. In the future, families might be screened so as to identify those members who are carrying a defective gene.
When atypical moles are found in an individual belonging to a melanoma family, the condition is known as FAMMM, standing for Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome. People with this syndrome are at the greatest risk of developing melanoma. In contrast, a research study found that those family members who did not have atypical moles were much less likely to develop melanoma.
Genetic Risk Factors
A mutation (alteration) in a recently discovered gene, the BRAF, may play a part in causing melanoma. In one study, this mutated gene was found in two-thirds of the melanoma cells analyzed. BRAF is called a "switch" gene, because it turns on to allow the cells to grow and divide. Mutations in this gene can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. The discovery is an exciting research breakthrough, but physicians and patients are still years away from reaping the rewards. Ultimately, the understanding of the BRAF gene could lead to the development of diagnostic tools and drug therapies. The mutations most commonly seen in familial melanoma occur in another gene, p53. When this gene is in its normal state, its main function is to give damaged cells time to repair themselves and not progress to cancer. However, when the gene is altered, it becomes unable to perform this function, and cancer can result. A number of gene mutations in addition to p53 and BRAF have been associated with familial melanoma. In the future, families might be screened so as to identify those members who are carrying a defective gene.
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