CASE NOTE: Primary malignant melanoma of the tongue

P rimary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity is a rare neoplasm. The incidence of oral cavity melanoma is about 0.2%–8.0% of all malignant melanoma cases. Primary lesions arising from oral mucosa occur most frequently on the maxillary gingiva and palate, with the lips being the third most frequent. Melanoma of the tongue is specifically uncommon and represents less than 2% of all oro-nasal melanoma cases. A review of literature revealed fewer than 30 reported cases of primary malignant melanoma of the tongue.