Open AccessMalignant melanoma of gingiva: Report of a rare case
Author(s) -
Ashok Vikey,
Prakhar Kapoor,
Rahul Kathariya,
Deepali Vikey,
Ipsita Kukreja
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
indian journal of dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0975-962X
DOI - 10.4103/0975-962x.163052
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , lesion , head and neck , differential diagnosis , rare disease , disease , dermatology , oral cavity , pathology , dentistry , surgery , cancer research
According to the World Health Organization, oral malignant melanoma (OMM) is a rare disease, accounting for only 0.8% of all melanomas, 8% of head and neck melanomas, and up to 0.5% of all oral malignancies. OMM presents as a pigmented lesion with asymmetrical borders, irregular surface characteristics, and a distinct color. Melanoma-associated pigmented lesion of the oral cavity does not possess clinical specificity and frequently divert the clinical diagnosis; hence, differential diagnosis becomes mandatory. Furthermore, the unpredictable pathophysiological behavior and delayed detection, contributes for poor prognosis of the disease. As a result, the 5 years survival rate is only 10-25%. Commonly OMM is seen in maxillary gingiva of males. However, we report a rare case of a middle-aged female having pigmentations and growth over mandibular gingiva.