Primary Mucosal Melanoma of Upper Alveolar Ridge and Hard Palate – A Case Report
F. Massilamani
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai- 119, India
S. Kailasam
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai- 119, India
C. K. Vishnu Priya *
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai- 119, India
R. Poorani
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Tambarm East, Chennai, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Melanoma is a potentially aggressive malignant tumor that arises from melanocytes and is most commonly cutaneous in origin. Patients greater than 60 years of age have a higher incidence of malignant melanoma with a slight male predilection. Primary oral melanoma is an extremely rare malignant tumor. The predominant site of primary oral melanoma is the hard palate and maxillary alveolus. The asymptomatic early stage of the lesion makes the late diagnosis of the tumor. This article presents a rare case of malignant melanoma of maxilla with an asymptomatic palatal pigmentation.
Keywords: Oral melanoma, aggressive, melanocytes, hard palate