Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Clinically dysplastic nevi with a personal history of cutaneous
melanoma and/or a family history of cutaneous melanoma in two or more blood relatives
(blood relatives include first, second, or third degree relatives from the same blood
line) Clinically dysplastic nevi defined as: At least 4 mm in diameter and flatness
(either a component or throughout) with at least 1 of the following: Variable pigmentation
Irregular or asymmetrical outline Indistinct border Must have at least 10 or more large
(diameter at least 4 mm) clinically dysplastic nevi on the trunk or extremities (excluding
head, pubic area, breasts in women, hands, and/or below the knees) No stage III or IV
melanoma Patients with history of melanoma who received adjuvant therapy must be more than
1 year from completion of therapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than
100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL AST less than 2 times normal Alkaline
phosphatase less than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular:
No symptomatic arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease No history of coronary artery
disease Other: Fasting triglyceride level less than 210 mg/dL Fasting cholesterol level
less than 350 mg/dL No nonmalignant disease that would preclude administration of
retinoids No psychiatric conditions that would preclude study compliance Not pregnant or
nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during
and for 6 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics Biologic therapy: Not specified
Chemotherapy: Not specified Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified
Surgery: No prior coronary bypass surgery Other: No prior systemic retinoids No concurrent
vitamin (except a daily multivitamin) or dietary supplement No concurrent systemic therapy
for hyperlipidemia