Primary oral melanoma can mimic a submandibular gland tumor

What is it about?

Primary oral melanoma (POM) is very rare. In advanced stage, POM arising in mandibular gingiva can mimic a submandibular gland tumor. In such a clinical setting, can cytopathologists differentiate POM from other tumors ? Here, we describe the cytologic findings of POM.

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Why is it important?

In this article, we emphasize the importance of FNA as a diagnostic tool in cases of primary oral melanoma with lymph node metastasis, mimicking a salivary gland tumor. Cytopathologists can play an important role in decision making of diagnosing and treating patients with metastatic melanoma in the head and neck region.