Malignant and benign tumors associated to multiple primary melanomas: just the starting block for the involvement of MITF, PTEN and CDKN2A in multiple cancerogenesis?

Background: Multiple primary melanomas (MPMs) could represent an interesting field of investigation for possible linkage between multiple cancer phenotypes and genetic background. In this setting, the co-existence of MPMs and malignant/benign neoplasms in a group of MPMs patients has been highlighted and the corresponding germ-line mutations have been traced. Methods: The study evaluated the prevalence of benign and malignant neoplasms in a group of 49 MPMs patients and compared the data with 49 age- and gender-matched single primary melanoma (SPM) controls. Genetic testing was performed when a germ-line mutation was suspected. Results: A statistically significant prevalence (P