Lip Cancer

Lip Cancer

 * Lip is most common single site for oral cancer.
 * Carcinoma of lower lip more common + grows slower.
 * In patients 50–70 years old, mostly men.
 * Lesions arise on vermillion border of lower lip, appear as non-healing ulcers, painless.
 * Larger lesions metastasize to local sub-mental or submandibular lymph nodes.

Etiology
Lip cancer is multifactorial dissease. Factors that increase the risk of getting lip cancer are especially:
 * Tobacco use;
 * pipe smoking ;
 * thermal injury;
 * lip trauma;
 * poor oral hygiene;
 * mechanical irritants ;
 * immunosuppression;
 * UV light;
 * decreased antioxidants in diet.

Diagnosis

 * Incisional biopsy (includes portion of lip lesion + portion of normal appearing tissue).
 * Radiographic: unnecessary for early stage tumors; for advanced tumors that adhere to or invade adjacent mandible.

Types

 * Squamous cell carcinoma: from epithelial lining of oral cavity, one sided, shallow ulceration + crustening, slow spread.
 * Basal cell carcinoma: less aggressive, destroys tissue locally, upper lip.
 * Minor salivary gland cancers: upper lip, rubbery nodules, ulcerated.

Treatment

 * Surgical excision: Remove carcinoma within 2 cm margin of normal tissue.
 * Radiotherapy:
 * Teletherapy= external beam,
 * Plesiotherapy= implanted radioactive seeds, needles.
 * Cryotherapy: For minor tumors.