[Genetic basis of malignant melanoma]

Cytogenetic analysis has contributed significantly to defining genomic region frequently altered in malignant melanoma. In the case of 1p, 6q i 9p consistent losses or partial deletions have predicted the location of tumor suppressor genes. Recent evidence suggests that the p16 CDKN2 gene located at 9p21 is important in sporadic and familial melanoma pathogenesis.