Oral Melanoma
Etiology
Unknown, but tobacco use, chronic irritation, formaldehyde exposure, familial history, and cytogenic defects are suspected.
Method of Transmission:
Not applicable.
Characteristics:
Most common affected sites are hard palate and maxillary gingiva. Melanoma is usually black, brown, red, and bluish. Slightly raised with irregular borders. Rapid growth pattern with deep invasive nature. Ulcerative or exophylic.
Dental Implications:
Intraoral melanoma is a deadly lesion that should be recognized and removed in its earliest stage. Early lesions are usually confused with benign problems. Since pain is not present, the patient may present at much later stages.
Treatment/Prognosis:
Early detection and treatment are extremely important. Excision of the oral melanoma is the course of action with wide surgical margins because recurrence is common. Chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancers may be used. Oral melanomas are associated with poor prognosis because of the tendency to metastasize to other organs and tissues.