An Amelanotic Melanoma of the
Oral Cavity- A Rare Entity; Case Report
1314-1317
Correspondence
Darshana Patil
5, Vikas Nagar, Sakri, 424304
Dhule, Maharashtra, India
Mobile : 09860989148
Email : drpatildarshana@gmail.com
Introduction/ Objectives: Amelanotic oral malignant melanoma (AOMM) is a rare tumour that is difficult to diagnose as it lacks melanin pigmentation. The prognosis is poorer than that of pigmented melanomas because of delays in establishing the correct diagnosis and in the initiation of treatment. Amelanotic forms are also thought to be biologically more aggressive than pigmented melanomas.
Methods: A case which reported to our hospital was investigated by taking a through case history, clinical, extra oral, intraoral examination and radiological and laboratory investigations.
Results: at each stage of reporting the feature pointed to a different diagnosis, which was finally confirmed on immunohistochemical examination.
Conclusions : AOMM without radial growth phase may be misdiagnosed as epulis or squamous cell carcinoma. Questionable lesions, particularly maxillary and palatal lesions, must be biopsied for histopathologic and possibly immunohistochemical examinations followed by rapid treatment as the prognosis of AOMM is poor. Advances in knowledge; The oral cavity being the most accessible area for examination, all the medical personnel should examine the oral cavity without fail and should be able to elicit the changes within it. Since the amelanotic variant may present diagnostic dilemma, proper investigations have to be performed to come to a definitive diagnosis and to plan the treatment thereafter.