This post is an answer to the Case – Nonpainful Discoloration of the Palate
On physical examination, slightly elevated, bluish-brown lesions with irregular boundaries were noted on the palate mucosa, without induration. Histopathological examination revealed an infiltrating lentiginous melanoma.
Oral mucosal melanoma is a rare neoplasm. Primary melanoma of the oral cavity accounts for 0.5% of all oral cancers, and 0.8 to 1.8% of all melanomas occur at mucosal sites. The prognosis for melanoma of the oral cavity is poor, with a reported 5-year survival rate of 12.3%.
The patient was referred to a tertiary care oncology center for additional diagnostic workup and therapy. No pathological lymph nodes were found. He underwent partial maxillectomy but declined adjuvant radiotherapy. At follow-up 6 months after surgery, there were no signs of tumor recurrence.
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