Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: October 23, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Dark Spots Inside of Cheek

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Oral Melanotic Macule: A benign pigmented lesion that is common in the oral cavity, often appearing as a single, well-defined dark spot. It is usually harmless but can be a source of concern for patients due to its appearance.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Traumatic Oral Pigmentation: Caused by trauma to the oral mucosa, leading to the formation of dark spots due to the accumulation of blood products.
  • Smoker's Melanosis: Associated with smoking, this condition causes an increase in melanin production in the oral mucosa, leading to dark spots or patches.
  • Oral Lichen Planus: An autoimmune condition that can cause white patches, redness, and sometimes dark spots in the mouth due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Oral Melanoma: A rare but aggressive form of skin cancer that can appear as a dark spot in the mouth. Early detection is crucial for treatment and survival.
  • Kaposi's Sarcoma: A type of cancer that can cause dark spots or lesions in the mouth, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
  • Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: A genetic disorder characterized by the development of benign hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and an increased risk of certain cancers, including oral melanin deposits that can appear as dark spots.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Addison's Disease: A rare endocrine disorder that can cause hyperpigmentation, including in the oral mucosa, due to an increase in melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
  • Hemochromatosis: A genetic disorder leading to iron overload, which can cause skin and mucosal pigmentation changes, including dark spots in the mouth.
  • Laugier-Hunziker Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by hyperpigmentation of the oral mucosa, nails, and sometimes the skin, often presenting as dark spots or patches in the mouth.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.