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

Authors

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

DOI:

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

Keywords:

Oral mucosal melanoma, Case report, Narrative review, Lower gingiva, Floor of the mouth

Abstract

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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