Resumen

ARNOLDO LOPEZ, Chagín  y  SARDI B, José R. Melanoma maligno de la cavidad bucal: Reporte de un caso. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2003, vol.41, n.2, pp.135-139. ISSN 0001-6365.

Abstract Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm originated from the melanocites that are the pigmented cells ubicated in the basal cell layer of the epithelium and the mucous membranes. Its incontrolated growing is manifestated initially as a macule wich when evolve it´s observed as a strongly pigmented tumor, sometimes ulcerated and bleeding, that it tends to grow up progresively, it has a high metastatic potential and a poor pronostic. We report a case evaluated in the Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Venezuela, corresponding to a male patient with a ulcerated lesion in the lower lip next to the left labial commissure, with a long lasting evolution and a progresive enlargement. From the histopathologic study, it was diagnosticated as malignant melanoma. The main modality of treatment is surgical, but another treatment alternatives can be used too.

Palabras clave : Malignant Melanoma; Melanocarcinoma; Carcinoma,; Neoplasm.