In a small study, we have previously shown a significant association between melanoma and three polymorphisms in the XPD gene (exon 6 (position 22541) A allele; exon 22 (position 35326) C allele; exon 23 (position 35931) A allele) that did not extend to markers flanking the XPD gene (Tomescu et al, 2001). Here, ERCC2 is linked to melanoma.