The incidence of cancer of the lip is similar to that of other head and neck cancers, with incidence rates ranging from 12.0 to 13.5 per 100 000 in North America, Europe, and Oceania. The primary causes of the disease are tobacco smoke, sun exposure, and genetics. Typically, lip tumors arise in the lower lip, with up to 3 per cent arising in the upper lip or at the oral commissure.
In addition to traditional surgical methods, radiation therapy is a common treatment for lip cancer. In this treatment, high-energy rays are used to destroy the tumor cells while preserving healthy tissues in the area. Another option for treating lip cancer is intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which allows the patient to preserve surrounding tissue while undergoing treatment. Aside from radiation therapy, other treatments for cancer of the lip include chemotherapy and surgery. Both types of treatments have their advantages, and both are effective for lip cancer.
While there are several other risks of developing cancer of the lip, it is highly curable once detected early. The visible and tactile nature of the cancer makes it easy to detect and treat. The University of Texas’ McGovern Medical School reports that individuals who drink three to four alcoholic beverages daily are at a nearly double risk for developing this type of cancer. Those who smoke are ten times more likely to develop this form of cancer, and people who use both tobacco and alcohol have a higher risk of developing this disease.
Surgery for cancer of the lip is an effective treatment option for early-stage tumors. Early treatment with surgery has a high five-year survival rate for T1 to T2 tumors. For T3 and T4 tumors, surgical treatment has a much lower five-year survival rate. Surgical treatment is less invasive for small lesions, since the lymphatic drainage of the lower lip is to the cervical lymph nodes. Furthermore, the presence of cervical lymph nodes at presentation is a poor prognostic factor.
Treatment for lip cancer is usually surgery. The doctor may perform radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells, or she may use chemotherapy. When the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and the neck, radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. Chemotherapy can help with symptoms of cancer of the lip and may even be combined with surgery. This treatment is very effective in easing symptoms. However, the cause of cancer of the lip is not known.
Early detection is critical for better patient outcomes. Early examinations should be conducted on patients who have blisters or persistent non-healing wounds on the lip. The appearance of lesions is characteristic of early-stage cancer: crusting and surrounding insulation. The advanced stage, on the other hand, is characterized by large bleeding masses and disfigurement. It is crucial to assess the condition of the patient’s mental nerves and the location of lymph node metastases.
