Mucosal pigmentation of the hard palate in a patient taking imatinib

Abstract

Imatinib mesylate is used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, among other conditions. Oral mucosal pigmentation as a side effect is rare. We present a summary of the current literature and a case report of a 58-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with a diffuse blue-grey pigmentation of the palatal mucosa, thought to be related to long-term use of imatinib mesylate.