Intraoral malignant melanoma

Abstract

Primary oral mucosal melanoma is a rare aggressive neoplasm and accounts for only 0.2‑8% of all reported melanomas. It is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes that may arise from a benign melanocytic lesion or de novo from melanocytes within normal skin or mucosa. It is considered to be the most deadly and biologically unpredictable of all human neoplasms, having the worst prognosis. In this article, we report a case of oral melanoma in a 52‑year‑old female patient with a chief complaint of black discolouration of the maxillary gingiva and palate.

Keywords: Gingiva, malignant neoplasm, oral mucosal melanoma, palate

Nigerian Medical Journal | Vol. 54 | Issue 4 | July-August | 2013