If you have been diagnosed with cancer of the lips, you can receive treatment with one of several types of therapy. You may opt for surgery or radiation therapy, which uses powerful X-ray beams to destroy the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is another option. This therapy is administered orally or intravenously, and is used in combination with other types of therapy to kill cancer cells. The main goal of chemotherapy is to destroy the cancer cells while preserving healthy cells in the mouth.
Treatment for lip cancer may involve surgical or radiotherapy. Incisional biopsy is the preferred method of diagnosis. This allows the pathologist to determine the extent of the lesion and to assess whether perineural invasion has occurred. In addition, ancillary imaging studies may be required for certain types of lip cancer, including those that are attached to the mandible. If lymph nodes are involved, a metastatic workup may be indicated.
The initial evaluation should include an oral examination and an X-ray. Early detection is important for improving patient outcomes. During oral examinations, patients with blisters or persistent nonhealing sores should be evaluated for squamous cell carcinoma. Early stage lesions may have crusting, surrounding induration, or leukoplakia, and may be small or confined to a single area. Larger lesions may require radiation therapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Early detection of lip cancer is critical to avoiding the risk of recurrence and maximizing quality of life. An early diagnosis of cancer of lip can prevent the risk of the disease coming back, and it can be cured if detected in time. The disease is more likely to occur in men than women, and if treated early, can be curable. It may be difficult to tell whether the symptoms of the disease are related to the type of cancer, but early detection and proper treatment can help you avoid the risks.
Although lip cancer may be under-reported, it is still an important part of oral cancer statistics. It tends to decrease in some areas of the world, but is the most common site of intraoral cancer for some geographic regions. There are two main histological types of lip cancer: SCC and BCC. Some cancers of the lip start in thin flat cells, but can spread to deeper tissues. It can even spread to other parts of the body.
A biopsy is usually required to confirm a diagnosis of cancer of the lip. The biopsy process involves scraping a small sample of the affected area and examining it under a microscope. If the doctor suspects cancer, he may order additional tests. Additional tests can determine the stage of the disease and whether the cancer has spread to other areas. Depending on the type of cancer, the doctor may choose to perform radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or targeted therapy. Other investigative methods include gene therapy, immunotherapy, or stem cell transplant.
Symptoms of cancer of the lip include a discolored or lump on the lip. Some patients may experience other symptoms in the mouth, neck, or even on other parts of the body. As a result, regular dental visits are important in early detection of the disease. They will help you determine if the cancer of the lip has spread to other parts of the mouth. There are many types of treatment for cancer of the lip, so make sure you visit a doctor to make an appointment.
