Primary Mucosal Melanoma of Upper Alveolar Ridge and Hard Palate – A Case Report

Melanoma is a potentially aggressive malignant tumor that arises from melanocytes and is most commonly cutaneous in origin. Patients greater than 60 years of age have a higher incidence of malignant melanoma with a slight male predilection. Primary oral melanoma is an extremely rare malignant tumor. The predominant site of primary oral melanoma is the hard palate and maxillary alveolus. The asymptomatic early stage of the lesion makes the late diagnosis of the tumor. This article presents a rare case of malignant melanoma of maxilla with an asymptomatic palatal pigmentation.