In recent years much progress has been made in knowledge and understanding of the biology of cutaneous melanoma. In this respect etiological factors, prognostic factors, antigen expression of melanoma cells, immune response and mechanisms of metastasis formation have to be mentioned. It is the purpose of this book to give a review on fundamental aspects, diagnosis and prognosis, and treatment of cutaneous melanoma and precursor lesions. Moreover, previously unpublished new data are presented. A post-graduate Boerhaave course "Cutaneous Melanoma and Precursor Lesions" was held at Leiden University on 12 and 13 April,. 1984. The proceedings are contained in this volume. The editors would like to thank all speakers and chairpersons on the course, the Boerhaave Committee for its contribution to the organisation of the course, Upjohn Nederland for its financial support and Mrs. I.A. Kruyff for her secretarial assistance. Dirk Ruiter, Kees Welvaart and Soldano Ferrone, Leiden and Valhalla (NY), June, 1984. VII CONTENTS Preface v Contents VII List of First Authors with Co-Authors XI PART I: FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS. The epidemiology of melanoma R.M. MACKIE The molecular biology of carcinogenesis 9 A.W.M. VAN DER KAMP AND N.G.J. JASPERS 19 Human melanoma associated antigens identified with monoclonal antibodies: characterization and potential clinical application P.G. NATALI, R. CAVLIERE, M. MATSUI, G. BURAGGI, L. CALLEGARO, and S. FERRONE Cellular and molecular parameters of tumor progression in 38 human malignant melanoma J. BRUEGGEN, E.B. BROECKER, L. SUTER, K. REDMANN, and C.