Oral Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of the epidermal melanocytes. Awareness and early recognition of pigmented lesion inside oral cavity helps in initial diagnosis and further investigation and treatment. Oral malignant melanoma is a rare aggressive neoplasm commonly seen among middle age. The diagnosis of melanoma initiates from the pre-existing pigmented lesions. The poor prognosis of oral melanomas requires that pigmented lesions of undetermined origin be routinely biopsied. A case of malignant melanoma of hard palate with its clinical, radiological and histopathological presentation along with brief review is presented. Prognosis of these lesion is poor with survival rate of 5 years.

Keywords: Malignant melanoma; Melanocytes; Palate; Pigmentation.