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Primary Gingival Melanoma: An Important Entity
Wala Ben Kridis1, Jihène Feki1, Lobna Ayedi2
1Department of Oncology, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.
Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery
|July 14, 2016
Summary
Primary gingival melanoma, a rare cancer, is often misdiagnosed. Early detection is crucial for improving the poor prognosis of this mandibular condition.
Area of Science:
- Oral Oncology
- Melanoma Research
- Metastatic Cancer
Background:
- Primary melanoma of the mandibular gingiva is an exceptionally rare oral malignancy.
- It is frequently misdiagnosed as a benign pigmented lesion, delaying appropriate treatment.
Observation:
- This report details the first case of primary gingival melanoma in Tunisia.
- The patient, a 55-year-old smoker, presented with advanced disease, including cerebral and pulmonary metastases at diagnosis.
Findings:
- The patient received palliative brain radiotherapy (18 Gy in three sessions).
- Despite treatment, the patient experienced rapid decline and died within three months, prior to systemic therapy initiation.
Implications:
- Illustrating new cases is vital to increase clinician awareness of this rare entity.
- Emphasizing early diagnosis is critical for potentially improving the historically poor prognosis of gingival melanoma.
