Melanotic Macule, Oral
Melanotic Macule, Oral Definition
A non-cancerous (benign), dark spot found on the lips or inside the mouth is called oral melanotic macule. It also sometimes called a labial melanotic macule if found on the lip.
Melanotic Macule, Oral Diagnosis
To biopsy certain lesions, such as new ones, large or growing ones, or those with irregular color (pigmentation) may be needed by your doctor in order to dignose oral melatonic macule. It can also help the doctor tell whether it is a benign oral melatonic macule or a malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
Melanotic Macule, Oral Symptoms and Signs
The lips, especially the lower lip, gums (gingival), roof of the mouth (hard or soft palate) and the inner cheek (buccal mucosa) are the most common locations for an oral melanotic macule disease.
Melanotic Macule, Oral Treatment
Your physician may wish to perform a skin biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis, if the diagnosis of oral melatonic macule is not certain. The treatment procedure involves the numbing of the skin with an injectable anesthetic; sampling a small piece of skin by using a flexible razor blade, a scalpel or a tiny cookie cutter (called a ?punch biopsy?), where if it is taken, a suture or two may be placed and will need to be removed 5-10 days later; and, having the skin sample examined under a microscope by a specially trained physician (dermatopathologist).