Primary Oral Mucosal Melanomas - Two Case Reports and Comprehensive Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Oral melanoma (OM) arises from activated or genetically altered epidermal melanocytes.
• No current scientific evidence links OM to physical, chemical, or thermal irritation.
• OM constitutes a small percentage (0.2%–7.5%) of all melanoma cases globally.

Observation:

• OM predominantly affects males (2:1 ratio).
• Approximately 80% of oral melanomas occur on the palate and maxillary gingiva.
• This paper presents two distinct cases of oral mucosal melanoma in the upper and lower lips of two women.

Findings:

• The study details the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies for these specific oral mucosal melanoma cases.
• Case presentations focus on upper and lower lip melanomas in elderly female patients.
• The paper provides insights into the clinical presentation and management of lip OM.

Implications:

• Understanding rare oral melanoma presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Effective management strategies for oral mucosal melanoma require further investigation.
• This case series contributes to the limited literature on lip oral melanoma.