title: Malignant melanoma of gingiva: Report of a rare case.
abstract: According to the World Health Organization, oral malignant melanoma (OMM) is a rare disease, accounting for only 0.8% of all melanomas, 8% of head and neck melanomas, and up to 0.5% of all oral malignancies. OMM presents as a pigmented lesion with asymmetrical borders, irregular surface characteristics, and a distinct color. Melanoma-associated pigmented lesion of the oral cavity does not possess clinical specificity and frequently divert the clinical diagnosis; hence, differential diagnosis becomes mandatory. Furthermore, the unpredictable pathophysiological behavior and delayed detection, contributes for poor prognosis of the disease. As a result, the 5 years survival rate is only 10-25%. Commonly OMM is seen in maxillary gingiva of males. However, we report a rare case of a middle-aged female having pigmentations and growth over mandibular gingiva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sri Aurobindo Dental College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vikey
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sri Aurobindo Dental College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Prakhar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Implantology, Dr. D. Y Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D. Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kathariya
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Deepali
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vikey
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth University Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ipsita
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kukreja
keywords: Cutaneous melanoma; melanoma; mucosal melanoma; oral malignant melanoma