A physician can conduct a biopsy of the affected lip to determine the extent of the disease and to rule out any other conditions. If the doctor suspects that the cancer is present in the lip, they may recommend other tests. Additional tests can help determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Imaging tests and endoscopy are also used to examine the body for signs of cancer. Ultimately, the doctor will decide on the best treatment for the patient.
Because cancer of the lip typically develops in an area that is easily visible, the overall survival rate for this type of disease is high, with an estimated 92% survival rate. However, these survival rates are only a guide and may not be indicative of the patient’s actual outcome. Regardless of how early the diagnosis is made, the key to a patient’s survival is to be proactive in identifying the cancer and treatment options. By early detection, lip cancer can be cured completely.
The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma consists of surgical excision of the tumor. This procedure enables a detailed examination of tissue, histopathologic characteristics, and lymph nodes. The small lesions may be removed from the mouth by a surgeon, while large tumors may need to be accessed through the mandible or maxilla. In the majority of cases, however, the patient will not experience any symptoms of the disease until after the surgery.
Although the incidence of lip cancer in the UK is low, the incidence is expected to rise with climate change. The effects of COVID (continuous ultraviolet exposure) are associated with an increased susceptibility to UV radiation. Therefore, it is important to take preventive action and use LPAs that provide UV barriers. A good way to protect the lip is to wear a hat with UV-blocking features. Likewise, wear sunscreen every day if you are outside.
If you’re diagnosed with cancer in the lip, the treatment options may be various. The most common of these are surgery and radiation therapy. Surgical treatment can be either minimal or extensive, depending on the size of the cancer. Careful planning is essential to preserve the ability to eat, speak, and look normal following surgery. In case your symptoms continue after surgery, it’s time to see a doctor. As with other forms of cancer, there is no specific cause of this disease.
AC is a relatively common condition that often affects the vermilion border of the lower lip. Its incidence worldwide is estimated at 0.45% to 2.4%. Moreover, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major etiological factor for AC. Exposure to UVR promotes local immunosuppression, changes in protein, and dysplastic changes. When AC develops, reactive oxygen species (ROS) is produced. This leads to cellular damage, leading to the onset of cancer of the lip. Other signs of AC include erosions, fissures, and scales.
When cancer of the lip is detected in its early stages, it can be surgically removed. The doctor removes the cancerous tissue and a small amount of healthy tissue around it. Sutures are not normally removed but are replaced with non-dissolvable ones. This procedure is also called mods’ surgery and involves cutting the cancer in thin slices, removing one slice at a time, under the microscope. Once the first slice is free of the cancer, the treatment team will stop the process.
