A review of oral malignant melanoma and data of eight patients are presented. The dismal prognosis of the condition is probably mainly due to its long, 'silent' course. In one-third of cases melanosis precedes the tumour--it is this condition that should alert clinicians. Therefore, pigmented oral lesions should be viewed with suspicion and biopsy is mandatory when the clinical diagnosis is uncertain. Early detection is essential to successful treatment. In spite of aggressive treatment modalities, survival in patients with advanced stage disease remains poor.