Abstract
Objectives
Spontaneous regression of melanoma is a rare phenomenon, and it has yet to be described in the literature for mucosal melanomas, which ordinarily have a grim prognosis with a 10–15%, 5-year survival rate. We present a case of a hard palate melanoma that spontaneously regressed.
Methods
We present a case report, review of the literature, and a discussion.
Results
A 49-year-old female presented with a pigmented lesion recently on her hard palate that was biopsy-proven to be spindle-cell type malignant melanoma with a depth of 2.3 mm. It stained positive for S-100 and Melan-A. Subsequent PET/CT imaging did not show hypermetabolic activity either at the lesion or elsewhere. A wide local excision of the lesion was performed. The histopathology showed oral mucosa with focal cicatrix formation, chronic inflammation, and pigmented macrophages, but no evidence of residual melanoma.
Conclusions
The case illustrates histopathologic findings in a mucosal melanoma undergoing spontaneous regression. These findings point to a potentially critical role for histiocytes in effecting tumor elimination. Analysis of spontaneous melanoma regression may help understand this phenomenon better and may lead to improved immunotherapy.
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