The dysplastic naevus syndrome in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma in Western Australia

Abstract

One hundred and three patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma responded to an invitation to attend a dermatology outpatient clinic. All patients with a family history of melanoma, a history of multiple melanomas, or histological evidence of a dysplastic naevus that was associated with their melanoma were invited. A random sample of other patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma was also invited to attend. First-degree relatives of patients with the dysplastic naevus syndrome (DNS) were invited for a similar examination. DNS was found in 27% of the patients with a history of melanoma, multiple melanomas, or histological evidence of a dysplastic naevus in association with their melanoma, ..