Genetics Play a Larger Role in Melanoma Than Previously Thought
Source: DocWireNews, May 2024
A person’s genetics play a more prominent role in melanoma than previously believed, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Physicians typically do not order genetic screens to assess risk factors for patients with a family history of melanoma because, according to limited previous studies, only 2.0% to 2.5% of all cases are genetic. Therefore, insurance companies rarely cover these tests outside of extreme circumstances. However, the findings of this study painted a different picture.
The analysis comprised 400 individuals with melanoma diagnosed between 2017 and 2020 who had a personal or family history of cancer. All patients underwent germline testing of more than 80 cancer predisposition genes. Comparative analysis of germline data was performed on 3 additional oncologic and dermatologic data sets, the researchers noted.