Lip Cancer

Lip cancer 90% of all tumors occur in the central part of the lower lip; In 90% of cases the histological form is squamous cell carcinoma with cornification. Predisposing factors-chronic traumatism of the mucous membrane of the lip, smoking. Precancerous diseases are cheilitis, hyperkeratosis, warty precancer, keratoacanthoma, skin horn.

Clinical picture. At the beginning of the disease, lip cancer manifests itself in the form of a rough seal, covered with a scab. A cylindrical corolla is formed along the edges of the seal. As the tumor grows, decay processes occur in it, accompanied by ulceration; Secondary infection is attached. Metastasis to the lymph nodes is observed in 10% of cases. The first metastases in the localization of the primary tumor in the central part of the lip appear in the chin lymph nodes, with the lateral location of the primary tumor in the submandibular lymph nodes. Distant metastases are rare. Probably sprouting of the lower jaw.

Treatment of lip cancer of stage 1 (tumor not more than 2 cm) - radial (interstitial introduction of radioactive needles or short-focus X-ray therapy) or cryogenic. Surgical excision of the tumor is rarely used. At stage II (tumor more than 2, but less than 4 cm without metastases) -radiation therapy, cryodestruction of the tumor is possible. At stage III (a tumor within the lip more than 4 cm or smaller, but the lymph nodes on the side of the lesion are palpated), the combined radiation is applied to the primary focus, followed by the regression of the tumor, a fascial-cervical excision of the cervical tissue from both sides. At stage IV (the spread of the tumor to the bone, tongue, neck, bilateral metastases to the lymph nodes, distant metastases), palliative irradiation or chemotherapy is indicated (methotrexate, fluorouracil, bleomycin, cisplatin may be used).