No abstract

The palate was the most common location for both melanocytic nevi and oral melanoma. Thus, all melanocytic lesions in the palate should be viewed with caution and biopsy is recommended to rule out melanoma. Further studies are required to elucidate the entity of oral atypical melanocytic proliferation.

Studies related to the relative frequency of individual IMSGTs from different parts of the world are difficult to compare because many studies are outdated, the number of cases is small, the list of tumors is limited, and new entities are not included. To determine the true relative frequency, more studies should be conducted, on a large number of cases from one source, by experienced pathologists in the field of salivary gland tumors.

This paper presents analysis of data on 130 cases of oral melanocytic nevi from the files of the University of the Pacific, San Francisco and the University of California, San Francisco. This is the largest detailed series from one geographic location published to date. Nevi of the intramucosal type are the most common (63%) followed by the common blue nevus (19%). Compound nevi are uncommon (9%) and junctional nevi are rare (5%). Combined nevi are the rarest type (4%). The data are analyzed as to the location, presence of clinical pigmentation, configuration, and size of the nevi, as well as the patient's age, gender and race. Because the malignant potential of oral nevi is still uncertain and because preexisting macular pigmentation is present in about one third of all patients with oral melanoma, it is advisable to remove all pigmented lesions suspected to be melanocytic nevi.

There is only scarce information in the literature on the relative frequency of POTs. Additional studies should be conducted to determine the true relative frequency. To ensure accuracy, pathologists with experience in the field of odontogenic tumors should conduct these studies. Intraosseous tumors that perforate through the bone to the gingival tissue, clinically presenting as 'peripheral tumors' should be excluded.