PRIMARY MALIGNANT-MELANOMA OF THE ORAL CAVITY - A REVIEW OF 8 CASES

A review of oral malignant melanoma and data of eight patients are pre sented. The dismal prognosis of the condition is probably mainly due t o its long, 'silent' course. In one-third of cases melanosis precedes the tumour - it is this condition that should alert clinicians. Theref ore, pigmented oral lesions should be viewed with suspicion and biopsy is mandatory when the clinical diagnosis is uncertain. Early detectio n is essential to successful treatment. In spite of aggressive treatme nt modalities, survival in patients with advanced stage disease remain s poor.