Oral Melanomas: A Case Series of a Deadly Neoplasm

To describe and discuss the demographic and clinical features of oral melanomas, which are relatively rare but deadly neoplasms, and list the criteria for their diagnosis to increase early detection.

An institutional review board-approved retrospective search of oral melanomas was performed in the archives of the University of Florida Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Biopsy Service (Gainesville, FL) from 2015 through 2018. Exclusion criteria included cases with inconclusive diagnosis, skin involvement, and missing clinical data or slide material. Of 7 patients with a diagnosis of melanoma of the head and neck region, 6 (87.5%) were found to be diagnosed with oral melanomas and met the inclusion criteria.

All 6 patients were at least 45 years (range, 45 to 87 yr). The male-to-female ratio was 4:2. Three patients were asymptomatic and 3 experienced symptoms, including pain, swelling, and tingling. Seven lesions were detected in these 6 patients. Three of these lesions were located on the maxillary gingiva, 2 were on the mandibular gingiva, and 2 involved the palate. Two lesions were diagnosed as spindle cell melanoma, 4 were diagnosed as melanoma, and 1 was diagnosed as a mucosal lentiginous melanoma.

Oral melanomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral pigmented lesions, especially on the gingiva or palate, in middle-age and elderly patients. Oral melanomas have a male bias. In addition, supportive criteria enabling early diagnosis of oral melanomas is addressed.