title: Oral pigmentation: case report and review of malignant melanoma with flow charts for diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: The color of the human oral mucosa is not uniform. Chromatic variations can occur, depending on the degree of keratinization, melanogenic activity, number of melanocytes, vascularization, and type of submucosal tissue. If a pathological pigmentation is suspected, its benign or malignant nature will guide the treatment plan. This article presents a rare case of malignant melanoma of the anterior maxilla with asymptomatic palatal pigmentation and regional lymph node metastasis. Flow charts for the diagnosis and treatment of pigmented lesions (with special emphasis on treatment of primary and metastatic melanoma) are included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oxford Dental College Hospital & Research Center, Bomanahalli, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Shesha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Bharati A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Sujatha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dyasanoor
authors.forename: Sushmini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hedge
mesh_terms: D024221:Antineoplastic Protocols; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*