IN SITU ORAL MELANOMA: DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

Oral melanoma is an aggressive cancer in which the cells display melanocytic differentiation. In situ oral melanoma is considered an extremely rare tumor and the prognosis is poor compared to its cutaneous counterpart. A 67-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a lesion on the maxillary alveolar mucosa. Intraoral examination revealed a nondetachable black patch on the maxillary alveolar mucosa extending to the hard palate with irregular borders and well-defined limits measuring 3 × 1.5 cm. A biopsy was performed, and microscopic analysis showed moderate atypical junctional melanocytic. Immunohistochemical analysis was positive for S-100, melan-A, and melanosome. The definitive diagnosis was in situ oral melanoma and the patient was treated surgically with partial maxillectomy. A definitive obturator prosthesis was made to provide effective rehabilitation. A 15-month follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Oral melanoma is an aggressive cancer in which the cells display melanocytic differentiation. In situ oral melanoma is considered an extremely rare tumor and the prognosis is poor compared to its cutaneous counterpart. A 67-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a lesion on the maxillary alveolar mucosa. Intraoral examination revealed a nondetachable black patch on the maxillary alveolar mucosa extending to the hard palate with irregular borders and well-defined limits measuring 3 × 1.5 cm. A biopsy was performed, and microscopic analysis showed moderate atypical junctional melanocytic. Immunohistochemical analysis was positive for S-100, melan-A, and melanosome. The definitive diagnosis was in situ oral melanoma and the patient was treated surgically with partial maxillectomy. A definitive obturator prosthesis was made to provide effective rehabilitation. A 15-month follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.