Melanoma Metastasis to the Mandible-Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review.

With the incidence of melanoma increasing yearly, there is a need for heightened awareness of its metastatic potential and for screening with appropriate referral for identification of pre-metastatic lesions. Melanoma has a 16- to 25-month period to metastasize from a localized disease to one with a median survival no longer than 12 months once metastasis occurs. Nearly one third of oral metastases are found to be the first indication of occult malignancy from a distant site. This report describes the case of a 54-year-old woman with a longstanding undiagnosed acral lentiginous melanoma with metastasis to the maxillofacial region. She underwent resection and died 7 months later. The authors analyzed case reports and the current literature for biological mechanisms of metastasis, risk factors, clinical presentation, classifications, staging, treatment modalities, prognosis, and current therapy modalities.
(Published by Elsevier Inc.)