ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Malignant melanoma is the most rapidly increasing cancer in Caucasian populations. Its incidence has been increasing at more than 5 percent per year since 1973, with an increasing mortality second only to lung cancer. Malignant melanoma is the most common cancer in young women between the ages of 25 and 29 and contributes to 18 percent of all cancers in young adults between the ages of 15 and 39 years. In the USA, there were about 55 100 cases of melanoma diagnosed in 2004 with nearly 8000 deaths. Risks of melanoma include preexisting skin lesions, but 20-50 percent of malignant melanomas arise de novo. Another risk factor is hair color: red-haired individuals have a three times greater risk than average and fair skinned and blond haired individuals have a two times greater risk. The overall increase in risk is thought to be related to strong solar ultraviolet radiation.
