Melanoma is characterised by its ability to metastasise at early stages of tumour development.,Current clinico‐pathologic staging based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria is used to guide surveillance and management in early‐stage disease, but its ability to predict clinical outcome has limitations.,Herein we review the genomics of melanoma subtypes including cutaneous, acral, uveal and mucosal, with a focus on the prognostic and predictive significance of key molecular aberrations.,© 2018 The Authors.,The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Cutaneous malignant melanoma, whose incidence is increasing steadily worldwide, is the result of complex interactions between individual genetic factors and environmental risk factors.,Ultraviolet radiation represents the most important environmental risk factor for the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.,Sun exposure and early sunburn during childhood are the principal causes of cutaneous melanoma insurgence in adults, with double the risk relative to a nonexposed population.,Consequently, ultraviolet protection has long been recognized as an important measure to prevent such a malignancy.,Biological and epidemiological data suggest that vitamin D status could affect the risk of cancer and play a role in cancer prevention by exerting antiproliferative effects.,Solar radiations are critical for vitamin D synthesis in humans; however, uncontrolled and intensive sun exposure is dangerous to skin health and may contribute toward the development of cutaneous malignant melanoma.,An optimum balance between sun protection and exposure is thus advocated.,Additional research is required to confirm the preventive role of vitamin D in melanoma incidence or a positive influence on patient outcome.