Early detection of lip cancer is vital to improving the patient’s outcome. In addition to physical examination and visual assessment, a biopsy is usually required to confirm the diagnosis. During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is scraped from the suspected tumor and sent to a lab for analysis. If abnormal cells are detected, an incisional biopsy may be performed. These procedures are often performed in the doctor’s office and may involve the injection of anesthetic.
Lip cancer is most common in aging white men and is distributed nationally and internationally. In the US, lip cancer is most common in subjects aged 60 to 70 years. It is also found more frequently among white Caucasians and those who work outdoors. Several reports indicate that HPV, an infectious virus, is a possible etiology. However, there are also some chemical and viral factors that are thought to increase the risk of lip cancer.
Most cases of lip cancer are non-metastatic. Incisional biopsy is preferred because it allows the pathologist to determine invasion patterns and if there is perineural invasion. Other imaging studies may be necessary if the cancer has spread to the neck or mandible. Patients who have metastasized in their neck may also be considered candidates for ancillary procedures. But for patients with localized lip cancer, this is not necessarily the case.
Generally, cancer of the lip begins when cells of the lip become abnormal. This typically begins in thin flat cells and spreads to deeper tissue. When this happens, the cancerous cells grow and divide abnormally. The result is a tumor. Lip cancer is the most deadly of the squamous cell types. Tobacco use and alcohol abuse are associated with an increased risk of lip cancer. You should also seek medical attention if you develop any rough patches or ulcers on your lip.
Patients with cancer of the lip often undergo radiation therapy to destroy the cancerous cells. This type of radiation therapy is used in conjunction with surgery. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy preserves healthy tissue in the surrounding area. Cancer of the lip may also spread to lymph nodes, which can require neck surgery to remove it. There are many different types of radiation therapy for lip cancer. The one you receive depends on your particular case. There is no cure for lip cancer, but it is still an option for your treatment.
In the early stages of cancer, lip surgeries may be necessary to remove the cancerous tissue and surrounding healthy tissue. After surgery, your doctor may use sutures to close the incision. Non-dissolvable sutures may be necessary. Chemotherapy is another option for cancer of the lip. This type of chemotherapy is given in pill form or intravenously and may be combined with radiation therapy. This treatment option may be necessary if the cancer has spread to other parts of the lip.
Squamous cell cancer is usually detected by performing a biopsy. This procedure allows the physician to examine the tissue, histopathologic features, and lymph nodes for cancer. Larger lesions may require splitting the upper or lower lip or pulling the cheek back. If the tumor has spread, it can be removed surgically. In severe cases, the cancer may recur after treatment. If it returns, however, you should seek treatment for it as soon as possible.
