DIAGNOSING MUCOSAL MELANOMA

When confronted with a suspected mucosal melanoma, it is crucial to differentiate a case of primary melanoma from metastasis. As mucosal melanoma presents with atypical melanocytic features, making this distinction is difficult. The diagnosis of mucosal melanoma is done using biopsy and histopathology. Immunohistochemical staining positive for protein S-100, HMB-45, Melan-A, Mart-1 and tyrosinase support diagnosis of melanoma. Any dermatologist who has a clinical suspicion of melanoma must do a biopsy.