An individual lacking the enzyme tyrosinase would be particularly predisposed to develop which of the following?

A. Glioblastoma multiforme
B. Hemangioblastoma
C. Hepatoma
D. Melanoma
E. Renal cell carcinoma

My answer is D. melanoma

Good!

The correct answer is D. This question is simple if you know that tyrosinase is an enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway for melanin formation from tyrosine. A lack of tyrosinase causes one form of albinism; a second form is caused by defective tyrosine uptake. Patients with albinism are vulnerable to developing cancers of the skin of all types, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The melanomas are unusual in that they are non-pigmented (amelanotic) rather than black, since the patients cannot form melanin.