Oral mucosal melanoma: clinicopathological analysis and narrative review of a case with heterogeneous clinical presentation

Fabiana da Silva de Oliveira; Paulo Sergio Pina; Jheinis Stefany Pascuineli Duarte; Suzana Cantanhede Orsini Machado; Norberto Nobuo Sugaya; Celso Augusto Lemos

doi:10.5327/2525-5711.459

Autores/as

Fabiana da Silva de Oliveira Universidade de São Paulo, School of Dentistry, Department of Stomatology – São Paulo (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5324-2695
Paulo Sergio Pina Universidade de São Paulo, School of Dentistry, Department of Stomatology – São Paulo (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8205-9935
Jheinis Stefany Pascuineli Duarte Universidade de São Paulo, School of Dentistry, Department of Stomatology – São Paulo (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5737-8439
Suzana Cantanhede Orsini Machado Universidade de São Paulo, School of Dentistry, Department of Stomatology – São Paulo (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9708-9608
Norberto Nobuo Sugaya Universidade de São Paulo, School of Dentistry, Department of Stomatology – São Paulo (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4966-6295
Celso Augusto Lemos Universidade de São Paulo, School of Dentistry, Department of Stomatology – São Paulo (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3372-6719

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/2525-5711.459

Palabras clave:

Melanoma, Mouth Neoplasms, Gingiva, Mouth floor, Case reports

Resumen

Oral mucosal melanoma is a rare and aggressive malignant neoplasm, frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis. This study aims to report a case of oral mucosal melanoma located at a non-palatal site, presenting as an extensive pigmented lesion affecting the lower gingiva and extending to the floor of the mouth, a topography less frequently described for this neoplasm, as well as to present a narrative review of the literature. An adult patient presented with a pigmented lesion in the lower gingival region extending to the floor of the mouth. The diagnosis was established through histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, confirming oral mucosal melanoma. The literature review addressed clinical, diagnostic, and prognostic aspects of oral mucosal melanoma, highlighting the influence of anatomical location and the biological particularities of this neoplasm in comparison with cutaneous melanoma. It is concluded that the recognition of atypical melanocytic lesions in less common sites of the oral cavity is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate clinical management of oral mucosal melanoma.

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