Primary malignant melanoma at base of the tongue

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma is rarely seen in the oral cavity, especially in the tongue. However, the base of the tongue is an extremely rare location for primary malignant melanoma. A 68-year-old male attended the otorhinolaryngology clinic with complaint of foreign-body sensation in the throat for 1 year. Intraoral examination showed a painless and black-colored mass on the right side of the base of the tongue. Histopathology report showed the diagnosis of a malignant melanoma. He underwent composite resection of the tumor and right-sided functional neck dissection. Early diagnosis should be made by proper examination of the oral cavity and oropharynx and early biopsy of the pigmented and nonpigmented mass. Early detection and treatment is required for better prognosis of the malignant melanoma at the base of tongue.