Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology (Jan 2007)
Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Oral Cavity
Abstract
Oral melanomas are rare entities, accounting for 0.2 - 8% of all melanomas. They carry very serious implications in terms of risk to the patient and poor response to treatment. There is higher incidence among the Japanese and Asians, with peak age of occurrence above 40 years and increased male predilection. The most common site of occurrence being the palate and maxillary gingiva. The prognosis of this lesion is dismal. Five-year survival rate being 10-25% and survival after metastasis is 6 months. A retrospective study of the cases of primary oral melanoma, which reported to the Out Patient Department of Govt Dental College, Trivandrum was carried out. The features of this lesion discussed, highlighting the need for biopsy of even very small hyperpigmentations occurring in the oral cavity to aid an early diagnosis and improve the survival chances of such patients.
