Malignant Melanoma of the Tongue: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Malignant melanoma of the tongue is a rare and highly aggressive neoplasm, constituting less than 2% of oral melanomas. Due to its rarity and atypical clinical presentation, diagnosis and management pose significant challenges. This study provides a scoping review of research on melanoma of the tongue to determine the available data on the epidemiology, clinical features, histopathological characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes of this malignancy. Our literature search identified papers published from 1941 to 2024, and 47 individual cases were analyzed. The mean age at diagnosis was 58.6 years, with a male predominance (58.1%). Lesions were most frequently located on the body and lateral borders of the tongue. A high percentage (38.5%) presented with distant metastases at diagnosis, commonly involving the lungs and brain. Histopathological examination highlighted spindle cell morphology in many cases, with immunohistochemical markers such as HMB-45 and S-100 proving essential for diagnosis. Wide local excision with or without neck dissection was the primary treatment, though recurrence rates remained high (20.5%). Despite aggressive management, overall outcomes were poor, reflecting the melanoma's advanced stage at diagnosis in most cases. This scoping review underscores the need for heightened clinical suspicion, particularly for pigmented or ulcerative lesions of the tongue. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and further research into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying tongue melanoma are crucial to improve outcomes for this rare and aggressive disease.