Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Oral Mucosa

Chidzonga, Midion Mapfumo; Mahomva, Leonard; Marimo, Clemence; Makunike-Mutasa, Rudo

doi:10.1016/j.joms.2006.11.045

« Previous Next »Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 65, Issue 6 , Pages 1117-1120, June 2007

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Oral Mucosa

Midion Mapfumo Chidzonga, BDS, FFDRCSI, MMed Sc
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Prof Chidzonga: Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
Leonard Mahomva, DDS
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe.
Clemence Marimo, DDS
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist, Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe.
Rudo Makunike-Mutasa, FRCpath
- Specialist Histopathologist, Department of Histopathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe.

Purpose

To present our experience on the epidemiology, clinical features, management, and survival of patients with oral malignant melanoma.

Patients and Methods

Records of patients with a histologic diagnosis of primary oral mucosal malignant melanoma seen over a 23-year period were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

There were 6 females and 2 males, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years; 4 cases in the maxilla, 2 in the mandible, 1 on the lower lip, and 1 on the buccal mucosa. Local recurrences developed in 2 patients who eventually died with clinical metastatic cervical nodal disease. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 16 years 3 months. Surgery was the only treatment available.

Conclusion

Primary oral mucosal melanoma is rare, with a 3 to 1 female to male ratio and an average age of 41.7 years at presentation. It is most common in the maxilla and has poor prognosis despite apparent adequate local surgical control.