Lip cancer is one of the most curable head and neck malignancies. This is partly due to the prominent location of the lip, making it easy to detect lesions early. Unfortunately, if the tumor is not detected in time, it may spread to the alveolar mucosa, tongue, and floor of the mouth. To improve treatment options, early detection is essential. Listed below are some tips for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the lip.
Treatment for cancer of the lip depends on the stage of the disease. If diagnosed in the early stages, surgery and radiation therapy are the main options. Surgery can help reshape and repair damaged tissue, while radiation therapy can eliminate any remaining cancer cells. Advanced cases may require chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Although lip cancer is curable if detected in its early stages, it requires a high level of care and a highly specialized team.
Surgery for cancer of the lip is an option that removes only the cancerous tissue. In most cases, the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor is preserved, preventing speech problems. Another option for treatment is radiation therapy, which involves the placement of high-energy particles in the area to kill cancer cells. It is also known as Mohs’ surgery. It is important to note that early-stagestage lesions are more likely to be benign. However, advanced-stage lesions may be larger and more disfiguring than early-stage ones.
Treatment for lip cancer depends on the stage in which the disease has spread. It is highly curable when detected early and has a high cure rate if detected in time. Tobacco and alcohol use are risk factors for cancer of the lip, but the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age. If you are a smoker, smoking, and prolonged sun exposure increase your risk. If you are a smoker, avoid tobacco and alcohol to reduce the risk of cancer.
If you are planning to be outdoors, try to avoid the sun during midday. Schedule your outdoor activities during other hours of the day. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply it every two hours. Also, avoid tanning beds – exposure to these rays is harmful to your health. When combined with sunlight exposure, this can lead to cancer of the lip. If you are a smoker, avoid using tanning beds to prevent sun damage to your lips.
While cancer of the lip rarely requires emergency medical treatment, it is still important to have it diagnosed early. The majority of cases are detected early and cure are possible. But the overall five-year survival rate of lip cancer is just 92%. Unfortunately, you can’t predict whether you will survive, so it’s essential to get screened for the disease as soon as you notice any abnormality. The survival rate of lip cancer is still very low, but it’s better than nothing.
Aside from poor oral hygiene, some other risk factors include HPV virus infection and dietary deficiencies. Early diagnosis of this type of cancer is crucial, as the treatment is more effective if the tumor is detected in its early stages. The oncologist will examine the affected area and order any further tests necessary. A biopsy is necessary to confirm the presence of the cancer. Often, this is done as an outpatient procedure, but it’s essential before treatment can begin.
