Skin cancer susceptibility can have a hereditary basis, particularly in melanoma and certain non-melanoma skin cancers. This genetic test evaluates key genes such as CDKN2A, CDK4, BRCA2, and PTEN, which are associated with familial melanoma and basal cell carcinoma syndromes. Mutations in XP genes (XPA, XPC, ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC4, ERCC5) cause xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare disorder that results in extreme UV sensitivity and a high risk of skin cancers.
Most melanoma-related genes, such as CDKN2A and CDK4, follow an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, whereas XP-related genes exhibit autosomal recessive inheritance, meaning both copies must be mutated for the disease to manifest.
