[Melanoma of the oral mucosa].

INTRODUCTION: The oral melanoma (OM) account for 1% of all melanomas. The prognosis is poor despite an adequate locoregional control of the disease. CLINICAL CASE: A 45-year-old woman presented with submandibular lymph nodes, having metastised from a melanoma. Oral cavity examination revealed a pigmented lesion of the gingiva in front of tooth 12, with satellite spots. Surgical treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy failed and the patient died 16 months after diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Oral melanomas have a poor prognosis probably because they are generally detected late. The most common sites for oral melanomas are the palate and maxillary gingiva. About 30% of OM is preceded by areas of oral pigmentation for several months or years. The prognosis is poor with a 5% to 20% five-year survival rate.