Oral Melanoacanthoma — NDEB AFK MCQ

Correct answer: A — Rapidly appearing, large, flat, brown-black macular pigmentation, often on the buccal mucosa, that may resolve spontaneously

Oral melanoacanthoma is a benign reactive mucosal lesion characterised by rapid onset of a flat, dark brown to black macular pigmentation, often large (>1 cm), most commonly on the buccal mucosa. It affects predominantly young Black women. Unlike melanoma (which it may mimic clinically), melanoacanthoma is benign, may be related to trauma or irritation, and can resolve spontaneously. Biopsy shows dendritic melanocytes dispersed throughout the full thickness of the epithelium (not just the basal layer). No treatment is needed after biopsy confirmation.

Reference: Neville – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th ed., 2016