MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF PALATE - A RARE CASE REPORT
*Dr. Ayesha Niyaz, MDS, Dr. S. Padmashree, MDS, Dr. Rema J., MDS and Dr. Suraksha Bhat, MDS
ABSTRACT
Oral malignant melanoma (OMM) accounts for 8% of all oral malignancies. It is a rare aggressive neoplasm usually found on hard palate and gingiva. The etiology is unknown but tobacco and chronic irritation are suggested as probable causative factors. Over 30% of cases have been reported to arise from pre-existing pigmented lesions such as melanotic macules, smoker's melanosis, amalgam and graphite tattoos, racial pigmentation and vascular blood-related pigments. Though these lesions are biologically aggressive, they often go unnoticed since they are clinically asymptomatic in early stages and usually present merely as hyperpigmented patch on surface of oral mucosa. These lesions if diagnosed at early in situ stage are potentially curable and definitely have a better prognosis, but unfortunately as they are clinically asymptomatic, it results in delayed diagnosis thus making prognosis extremely poor. This case report discusses the rare malignancy, including clinical presentation, histopathological features, immunologic profile, management & prognosis. It highlights the importance of recognizing rare entities that may present in the jaws, the impact of the disease & its management.
Keywords: Melanoma, Oral mucosa, Pigmentation, Prognosis, Recurrence.
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