The treatment for cancer of the lip includes surgery and radiation therapy. In surgery, the tumor is removed with the minimum tissue possible. In radiation therapy, high-energy particles are directed at the tumor, which destroys the cancer cells by damaging their DNA. After surgery, chemotherapy may be given. In addition to radiation therapy, chemotherapeutic agents are sometimes given to help patients cope with the symptoms of cancer of the lip. Some people choose surgery and radiation therapy.
Although lip cancer is often difficult to detect, it is curable when caught early. The most common symptoms are sores and lumps in the lip area, but this does not always mean that the tumor is cancerous. If you suspect that you have cancer of the lip, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will examine your lip area, as well as other parts of your mouth, and will feel for swollen lymph nodes.
If a visible sore has persisted and has not healed, a biopsy may be necessary to rule out lip cancer. A biopsy of the lip is performed by a trained ear-nose-throat specialist. Usually, the patient undergoes local anesthesia and the discomfort will subside within one to two days. In advanced cases, however, general anesthesia and sedation are used. Children undergoing biopsies may require general anesthesia.
The diagnosis of cancer of the lip is usually confirmed with an incisional biopsy. The incisional biopsy is the preferred diagnostic method, as it allows the pathologist to assess whether the tumor has spread beyond the lip to the mandible. Additionally, ancillary imaging studies may be necessary if the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body. The TNM classification system is used to stage lip cancer. A physician must consider the type of cancer before making a final decision on treatment.
Because the lips are prominent, early detection of the lesions is crucial. This makes it easier to detect any abnormalities in the early stages. If left untreated, tumors may spread to other parts of the mouth, such as the alveolar mucosa or the floor of the mouth. If left untreated, the prognosis is much worse. And the chances of spreading are higher than with a basal cell carcinoma.
Although the incidence of lip cancer is relatively low in the UK, it does increase the chances of developing the disease in a person. The survival rate is 92% overall for those diagnosed with lip cancer. However, these survival rates do not reflect the actual survival rate of a patient. Therefore, patients are advised to undergo regular checkups to ensure the cancer has not spread. They should also avoid exposure to UV rays, which can lead to skin cancer.
While the early detection of lip cancer improves the prognosis, patients should be aware that treatment options vary. Surgery is the most common treatment method, but radiation therapy may be an option for more advanced disease. Sometimes, chemotherapy or targeted drugs may be used in combination with surgery to control the symptoms. But, the best way to treat this type of cancer is through surgery. In addition to surgery, radiation therapy may also be used to shrink the tumor or remove the entire lip.
