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The FAMMM syndrome consists of the familial occurrence of cutaneous malignant melanoma and atypical nevi (dysplastic nevi), and is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Conflicting results have been reported on the question of whether the syndrome includes increased susceptibility to non-melanoma cancers. We have studied cancer of all anatomic sites and histologies in nine FAMMM families which were ascertained in a pigmented lesions clinic in the Netherlands. We evaluated two hypotheses: that the number of systemic cancers observed in the families was excessive, compared to expected incidence, based on Dutch incidence data, and that there was variation (or heterogeneity) among families in the frequency of systemic cancer. A significant excess of systemic cancer (especially digestive tract cancer) was observed. Significant heterogeneity was also found among the families; three of the nine families had marked excess in numbers of systemic cancers, and the remaining families had normal numbers of cancers among the known FAMMM gene carriers and their first degree relatives. Thus, we provide evidence of increased susceptibility to systemic cancer occurring in conjunction with the FAMMM syndrome in a subset of this resource.

Clinical-pathologic-genetic studies were performed on 3 kindreds showing the familial atypical multiple mole-melanoma syndrome (FAMMM). Findings showed vertical transmission, including father-to-son, of cutaneous malignant melanoma and/or FAMMM moles with no sex predilection. A broad spectrum of clinical signs characterizing the phenotype ranged from an apparent lack of disease expression through minimal, moderate, and florid manifestations. An extreme example was a patient with 9 separate primary melanomas in 18 years. The FAMMM moles were histologically compound nevocellular nevi with varying degrees of dysplasia of the melanocytes, an increased occurrence of fibroplasia, and chronic inflammation within the papillary dermis. Of further interest was marked variation in the degree of dysplasia in moles between and within families. These observations, when coupled with recent reports by others, are consistent with an autosomal dominant gene showing markedly variable expressivity. Management of these patients is difficult, as one cannot be certain which moles require biopsy and then, following histological study, which will require wider excision. Studies of the FAMMM syndrome should deal carefully with its natural history, including the patient's lifelong susceptibility to multiply malignant melanomas, and the possibility that cancer of other anatomic sites may be integral components of this hereditary cancer syndrome. Images Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 8 Fig. 10

The Familial Atypical Multiple Mole-Melanoma Syndrome (FAMMM) is characterized by an autosomal dominantly inherited susceptibility to multiple atypical naevi. Patients with this hereditary phenotype show a strong susceptibility to cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Our investigation of an extended Dutch kindred showing the FAMMM phenotype revealed a proband with bilateral intraocular malignant melanoma (IOM) and multiple CMM. The family revealed an array of tumours which included carcinoma of the lung, skin, larynx, and breast in addition to CMM and IOM, which were transmitted vertically through 3 generations. There was male-to-male transmission, and the number of affected males and females was about the same, which was consistent with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Thus the FAMMM syndrome not only indicates a potential for CMM, but a susceptibility to other systemic cancers as well. These observations, though limited to a single kindred, merit a painstaking evaluation of cancer of all anatomical sites in other kindreds showing the FAMMM syndrome. Such studies could yield clues to cancer aetiology, pathogenesis, and control. Images Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4