Oral melanoacanthoma: a case report, a review of the literature, and a new treatment option.
OBJECTIVE
Oral melanoacanthoma is a rare condition that presents as a pigmented, painful lesion, most commonly on the buccal mucosa. Argon plasma coagulation is a new treatment option for benign oral lesions and is hypothesized to be efficacious for this rare mucosal disorder.


METHODS
Treatment of a case and a review of the English-language literature were performed.


RESULTS
One patient received a diagnosis of oral melanoacanthoma, and argon plasma coagulation treatment resulted in ablation of the lesion with excellent mucosal healing. A review of the literature demonstrated that this lesion is most commonly associated with black (90.9%), adult female (69.7%) patients and is most commonly located on the buccal mucosa (64.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Oral melanoacanthoma is a rare, benign mucosal lesion that may require surgical intervention for symptomatic relief. Argon plasma coagulation is a relatively safe and effective means of treating this lesion. Argon plasma coagulation treatment may be expanded to include other benign, superficial lesions of the oral mucosa.
Andrews
Brian T
BT
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Trask
Douglas K
DK
D049309:Acanthoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery*; D001741:Black or African American; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000473:pathology; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome