[Primary mucous membrane melanoma of the base of the tongue].

BACKGROUND

Primary mucosal melanoma of the tongue is an absolute rarity. A review of the literature revealed only 28 cases.

PATIENT

The following report deals with an 87-year-old male patient who developed a primary melanoma of the left base of his tongue. The melanoma was excised with the CO2 laser. The patient refused surgical removal of the lymph nodes as well as radiation therapy.

RESULTS

The laser resection of the melanoma led to a local control of the tumor at its primary site until the patient died from a stroke 30 months after the initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Limited melanoma of the mucosa of the tongue can be excised with the CO2 laser, if the resection can be performed with margins of healthy tissue as large as those in conventional surgery. Surgical therapy with primary palliative intention seems also to be adequate as relief of local symptoms can be achieved even for a longer period of time.