The incidence of melanoma is continuously increasing in Australia, Europe and the United States. Outstanding research is performed in order to provide a better understanding of the etiopatogenesis. Although the underlying cause has not yet been identified, association between environmetal and genetic factors create the proper environment for the development of melanoma. Certain families have a high risk of acquiering melanoma through genetic predisposition, but most cases are sporadic, probably having low or moderate risk genes. The purpose of this article is to underline the most important genes involved in the etiopatogenesis of melanoma.