Coexisting Lentigo of the Larynx and Melanoma of the Oral Cavity: Report of a Case

Abstract

A case is presented of coexisting malignant melanoma of the oral cavity and large benign lentigo of the pyriform sinus of the larynx. The absence of a pigmented lesion of the oral cavity in this patient suggests the possibility that lentiginous lesions of the larynx and oral cavity represent simultaneous invasion of these sites by melanocytes later undergoing malignant degeneration in the oral cavity. The histologic observations of these separate lesions are presented and compared. The literature is reviewed briefly. The widespread clinical opinion that malignant melanoma is a systemic disease is illustrated by this case.