Living With Oral Mucosal Melanoma

I was diagnosed with oral mucosal melanoma in July 2025 and had surgery the following August. A large area of superficial spreading melanoma was excised from my upper palate along with a small invasive tumor. Several teeth, gum tissue, and a portion of my maxilla were removed to ensure wide and clear margins. A full body scan showed no other cancer.

Ongoing monitoring for Melanoma

The surgery was regarded as successful, and the post-surgical course is surveillance. I have full body scans, meetings with one of my surgeons, and meetings with my medical oncologist every three months. I have had two post-surgical scans so far. My medical oncologist was pleased with the first one, and the full results of the second have not yet arrived. I will see my oncologist next week for her assessment of that second scan.

Managing the anxiety

I know this form of cancer is rare, aggressive, and often recurs and spreads, so I have more than a little anxiety. Apparently, the five-year survival rate for oral mucosal melanoma is only around 35%.