MELANOMA OF ORAL CAVITY: A CASE REPORT OF AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION

Oral mucosal melanoma is a rare malignancy with the tendency to metastasize and locally invade tissues more readily than other malignant tumor of the oral cavity. It occurs approximately four times more frequently in the oral mucosa of the upper jaw usually on the palate or alveolar gingiva. The chameleonic presentation of malignant melanoma, its asymptomatic condition, rarity of the lesion, poor prognosis and the necessity of a highly specialized treatment are factors that should be seriously considered by the involved health care provider. We report a rare and interesting case of oral malignant melanoma of the upper gum, which was clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with a brief review of literature, has been discussed.