[Oral and perioral endogenous pigmented lesions]

Pigmented lesions are commonly found in the mouth. Such lesions represent a variety of clinical entities, ranging from physiologic changes to manifestations of systemic illnesses and malignant neoplasms. Two groups of pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa are recognized: 1) endogenous lesions, including racial pigmentations, melanotic macules, melanocytic nevi, malignant melanoma and 2) exogenous lesions (e.g., blood-related pigmentations, metallic pigmentations). The etiology, differential diagnosis, clinical and histopathological features and management of endogenous pigmented lesions is discussed and the current literature is reviewed. In this article, pigmented lesions are described to allow practitioner to elaborate a positive diagnosis of endogenous pigmented lesions and to facilitate an early detection of these lesions particularly the malignant ones.