[Etiology of malignant melanoma--what do we know?]

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is the cancer showing the highest rate of increase in Europe. Attempts to reduce this trend are based on epidemiological studies which show that the development of melanoma is influenced by both constitutional and behavioural factors. The author summarizes the current knowledge on etiologically important factors in cutaneous malignant melanoma. Constitutional factors such as inheritance, congenital nevi, atypical moles and hormones are discussed, as well as behavioural factors, with the emphasis on exposure to sun.