Radiation therapy works by using high-energy beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells in the mouth. Before undergoing radiation therapy, your dentist should treat any oral problems you may have. Early detection and treatment is the key to a successful cure. If detected early, cancer of the lip can be cured or controlled and even cured completely.
A biopsy is the preferred treatment option for early-stage lip cancer. This method allows the pathologist to determine patterns of invasion and the presence of perineural invasion. The sample is then examined under a microscope to determine whether there is evidence of cancer spreading beyond the lip. If no lymph nodes are present at presentation, an incisional biopsy may be performed to remove the affected tissue. It may be done in the doctor’s office or under general anesthesia.
Lymph nodes are an important part of a doctor’s assessment of cancer in the mouth and lips. Lymph nodes in the neck are considered part of the oral cavity, and the cancer may have spread elsewhere. If the cancer has spread beyond the mouth, it may have spread to the muscles used for chewing or the sphenoid bone behind the upper jaw. It may even have spread to a carotid artery near the base of the skull. If this happens, treatment may require further testing.
Surgery for early-stage lip cancer involves removing the cancerous tissue and a small area of healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. The surgeon will then close the incision with sutures. The sutures used will not dissolve and are permanent. Surgery for advanced-stage cancer of the lip may also involve reconstructive surgery. To protect yourself from sunburn, use lip balm with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid tanning beds – they are not safer than lying in the sun.
Malignant tumours of the oral cavity are generally found on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the retromolar trigone, and the gingivae. However, cancer of the lip must be considered separately from oral cavity cancer. Despite the similarity in the appearance, their natural histories are very different. In addition, the treatment for lip cancer varies greatly. Moreover, the prognosis depends on the stage of the tumour. The earlier it is detected, the better the outcomes.
Post-treatment surveillance for lip cancer focuses on history-taking, physical examination, and imaging. The initial evaluation takes place every one to three months. The second evaluation occurs every two to six months. The third and fourth years, patients are seen once a year. The DSS and overall survival of patients are similar. However, SCC of the oral commissure had lower DSS and overall survival. Thus, treatment for cancer of the lip should be based on the individual patient’s tumor type and stage.
Cancer of the lip and mouth is the most common malign tumor in the head. It has similar clinical behavior to skin cancer. The incidence rate of lip cancer is 12.7% in North America, 13.5 per 100 000 in Europe, and 12 percent in Oceania. However, smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol use are all risk factors for the development of lip cancer. A mouth sore can also be a symptom of lip cancer.
