Cancer of the lip is a relatively common form of oral tumor, affecting approximately one-fifth of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer. The occurrence of cancer of the lip is highest in people aged 60-70 years, white Caucasians, and men. People of colored skin are probably protected from the effects of ultraviolet rays by the pigment of their skin. Men are more likely to develop this form of cancer than women, largely because they often wear lip-gloss or lip-balm. Chronic alcohol intake and tobacco chewing are also known risk factors for developing this condition. In addition to genetics, some studies have found links between lip cancer and the presence of viral oncogenes.
Treatment options for lip cancer vary but may include surgery or radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and may be used in conjunction with diagnostic imaging. Another form of lip cancer treatment is chemotherapy. This treatment is generally given as a pill or intravenously and is often used in combination with surgery to treat the tumor. Some cases of lip cancer may spread to other parts of the mouth and lymph nodes, requiring chemotherapy.
Patients who develop a visible sore on their lip may undergo a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The biopsy may involve the removal of a sample of the affected tissue and testing it under a microscope. The pathologist will analyze the sample to identify whether or not it is cancerous. Imaging tests may also be used to determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the lip or other areas of the body. Children may undergo general anesthesia for biopsies to prevent the discomfort associated with the procedure.
Early-stage lip cancer may be treated with surgery, which involves the removal of the tumor and healthy tissue around it. The surgery usually involves the use of non-dissolvable sutures to avoid complications from infection. In more advanced stages, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be combined. Some patients may require plastic surgery to restore their appearance. In all cases, it is vital to choose the right treatment for cancer of the lip. The best method depends on the stage of the disease, and the extent of the tumor.
Most people with lip cancer have squamous cell carcinomas, which are abnormal growths of cells on the surface of the lip. These cancers tend to be more aggressive and more difficult to treat than other squamous cell cancers. They also tend to spread to the head. In the United Kingdom, squamous cell carcinomas account for 0.2 percent of all cases of lip cancer. The risk of developing lip cancer is greatly increased for people with fair skin and a history of smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
During the postoperative stage, the patient must undergo a lip reconstruction. Surgery consists of the removal of the entire organ, as well as the adjacent soft tissues. Free vascular flaps are the only type of bone tissue transfer that has been successful in this type of surgery. Free vascular flaps may also be associated with flaps from adjacent tissues. In a complex lip reconstruction, the patient may experience complications such as continuous drooling or difficulty chewing.
