Oral melanotic macule

Question 1

What is oral melanotic macule?

Answer 1

Flat brown mucosal discoloration produced by a focal increase in melanin deposition and increase in the number of melanocytes

Question 2

Is oral melanotic macule dependent on sun exposure?

Answer 2

NO

Question 3

What is the clinical feature of oral melanotic macule lesions?

Answer 3

cricumscribed tan to brown macule covered with intact mucosa.

Lesion is painless and persistent

Usually less than .5cm in diameter

Question 4

Where does oral melanotic macule lesions usually occur?

Answer 4

Lower lip

May also occur on gingiva, palate, buccal mucosa

Question 5

How is the histopahtologic feature of oral melanotic macule characterized?

Answer 5

Increase in melanin

Melanin may be seen free or with melanophages in the subepithelial CT (melanin incontinence)

Question 6

Tx for oral melanotic macule?

Answer 6

No tx reqd.

When necessary, excisional biopsy is preferred to Tx.

Question 7

Is there malignant transformation in oral melanotic macule?

Answer 7

NO

However early melanoma can appear clinically in these patietns so need biopsy to rule out malignancy