摘要：

This paper is a review of 120 cases of primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity occurring in the Japanese. We have collected 18 cases from our own department and the remainder from the literature. Since malignant melanoma arising from the oral mucosa and ectopic pigmentation are relatively common in Japan, an assumption has grown as to a possible relationship to histogenesis. The analysis of the material and the discussion are focused on these points. Malignant melanoma of the oral cavity is not rare in the Japanese. Some of the cases do not seem to have any relation to oral melanosis, but almost two-thirds of the cases were found associated with it (36.2% of melanoma was associated with pre-existing melanosis, and 29.8% with concurrent or later-developing melanosis). The biological behavior and histologic patterns of these melanoses were similar to those of lentigo maligna of the skin. The pre-existing melanoses seemed to be the most common precancerous lesion of the oral mucosa as far as malignant melanoma was concerned.

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