Adrián Ríos, MD
The labial melanotic macule is a benign lesion.
The appearance of these moles is greater in young adult men and predominates in the middle third of the lower lip. Only 15% have a diameter greater than 0.6 cm and in one of the few reviews of this type of cases that exist (1), it was reported that in the medical evaluation it was never confused with melanoma due to its homogeneity in shape and color.
It is considered a melanocytic lesion without malignant potential.
Rapid growth behavior would indicate intervention for study purposes, lesions that are stable for more than 4 to 5 years are only indicated for removal for aesthetic purposes.
The comparatively greater cellularity of the melanotic spot on the lip may explain the lesion’s reluctance to respond to ablative treatments, unlike lentigines, which respond better.
The case on the cover required seven sessions over a period of 5 continuous months to obtain pigment-free controls for more than a month. The pigment persistences were linear, some central, others peripheral and finally punctual in the same sites, which required the vaporization to be deepened increasingly in a fractional manner. Another case had a better response because deep vaporization was safer given the diameter of the lesion (4 mm). In both cases, there was no fibrosis or unsightly depressions.
LITERATURE
The labial melanotic macule
D. K. Weathers, DDS, MSD,” R. I,. (‘orio (DC’) l’SN,**
BE Crawford (DC) TJSN,“*- JS Gim~sa~~ti, DMD,
MSD,+s*x and LR Page, DDS, Ph.D., **)cx* Atlanta, CA.,
Bethesda, Md., and Lexington, Ky.
