title: Primary malignant melanoma of the oral mucosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience on the epidemiology, clinical features, management, and survival of patients with oral malignant melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of patients with a histologic diagnosis of primary oral mucosal malignant melanoma seen over a 23-year period were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 6 females and 2 males, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years; 4 cases in the maxilla, 2 in the mandible, 1 on the lower lip, and 1 on the buccal mucosa. Local recurrences developed in 2 patients who eventually died with clinical metastatic cervical nodal disease. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 16 years 3 months. Surgery was the only treatment available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary oral mucosal melanoma is rare, with a 3 to 1 female to male ratio and an average age of 41.7 years at presentation. It is most common in the maxilla and has poor prognosis despite apparent adequate local surgical control.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe. mmchidzonga@medsch.uz.ac.zw
authors.forename: Midion Mapfumo
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chidzonga
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mahomva
authors.forename: Clemence
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marimo
authors.forename: Rudo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Makunike-Mutasa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009333:Neck; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology