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Is Skin Cancer Genetic?

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Overview
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  • Ultraviolet radiation
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Melanoma
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Overview
Causes
  • Ultraviolet radiation
  • UV exposure categories
  • Effects of UV exposure
  • Genetics of skin cancer
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Melanoma
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Merkel cell cancer
T-cell lymphoma

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.

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INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.

Condition Spotlight

Press Release Skin Cancer Screening a Valuable Tool against Disease Watch Video
Keeping Close Watch Can Catch Skin Cancer Early
Keeping Close Watch Can Catch Skin Cancer Early Play Video | 3:18
Stanford Hospital's Dr. Kevin Wang Discusses Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Stanford Hospital's Dr. Kevin Wang Discusses Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment Play Video | 1:12:57
Your Questions Answered: Skin Cancer Watch Video
Dr. Susan Swetter on Melanoma, the Most Deadly Form of Skin Cancer Watch Video

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Open Trials Closed Trials
Pembrolizumab Compared to Standard of Care Observation in Treating Patients With Completely Resected Stage I-III Merkel Cell Cancer, STAMP Study Skin Cancer
Palliative RT & Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Blockade in Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer
A Study of INCMGA00012 in Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (POD1UM-201) Skin Cancer
A Study of NKTR-214 Combined With Nivolumab vs Nivolumab Alone in Participants With Previously Untreated Inoperable or Metastatic Melanoma Melanoma, Skin Cancer
Mogamulizumab + Low-Dose Total Skin Electron Beam Tx in Mycosis Fungoides & Sézary Syndrome Skin Cancer
Testing the Combination of Two Experimental Drugs MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) and Interferon-gamma for the Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome and Advanced Synovial Sarcoma Cancer, Lymphoma, 
Clinical Trials View All »

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