BLUE TINGE AROUND MOUTH SKIN

This is especially crucial when malignant cells are present. Confirming the tissue histology and diagnosis is important in the follow-up period after removal of the lesion.

Pathologists are able to determine the diagnosis and the type of blue nevus during histology evaluation. In addition, there is always the possibility that what is seen clinically is a malignant melanoma and not a blue nevus.

Malignant melanoma has been reported to arise with the cellular blue nevi. Diagnosis and confirmation are usually the main reasons for removal. However, there is controversy regarding this theory and most often malignancy occurs in the above mentioned 'cellular' types. Although the blue nevus is considered benign, these pigmentations have the potential to become malignant in some cases. Several types or variants of the blue nevus such as the plaque-type blue nevus (Fistarol and Itin, 2005) and the epithelioid blue nevus (Pinto et al., 2003) versions have been documented in the literature.īlue nevi are usually classified as either 'common' that occur most often orally or they may be 'cellular' types. The blue nevus is found in the palate in two-thirds of cases followed by the buccal mucosa.

BLUE TINGE AROUND MOUTH SKIN

The nevus, in general, is often seen on external skin surfaces, but they are uncommon in intraoral tissue. In the early stages, the blue lesion may have characteristics similar to the deadly melanoma. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore. General and Oral Pathology for the Dental Hygienist 2nd Ed. The blue nevus is usually asymptomatic, considered benign, with color variations of gray, brown, slate-blue, and blue-black in color and rarely measures over 6 mm.įigure 1: Courtesy of Dr. The most common intraoral type of nevus is the intramucosal nevus followed by the blue nevus. Nevi, in general, may be either congenital or developmental. This is true for the blue nevus.Įtiology-The blue nevus is a benign, melanocytic lesion that is often referred to as the pigmented nevus, melanocytic nevus, or nevomelanocytic nevus of acquired origin. Therefore, some pigmented lesions appear very dark, while others will vary in the intensity of their color. The long and short wavelengths of a pigmented lesion promote the color that is seen clinically. Melanin particles deep within the tissue cause light to be reflected and to be passed through the overlying tissues. Those found deeper within the tissue such as the blue nevus appear black to dark blue because of what is termed the Tyndall effect. The color of the pigmented area will vary depending upon the location and the depth of the lesion within the tissues.

The source of a pigmented lesion may be from a foreign body such as imbedded metal (for example, amalgam, graphite injury, or a gunshot wound), long-standing chronic irritation, physiological disease states (Addison's disease, for example), hormonal fluctuation, and the use of medications or from an acquired benign or malignant entity. Additionally, the malignancy potential must be assessed and a treatment plan developed. Pigmented oral lesions occur periodically in patients, and the origin must be identified.

Blue tinge around mouth