General Information About Lip Cancer
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a tumoral lesion belonging to the group of head and neck cancers, which generally begins in the mucosa of the lower lip as a result of the uncontrollable multiplication of cells.
Prolonged exposure to the sun (UV) among outdoor workers is the biggest cause. In addition, the use of pipes/cigarettes, alcohol consumption, having fair skin, and HPV infection increase the risk.
Open sores (ulcers) on the lip that do not heal for weeks, bleed, crust over, and become hard; numbness in the lip, and thickened white/red patches are the most common findings.
Cold sores are viral; they start with itching and burning, and heal spontaneously by crusting over within 7-10 days. A cancerous sore, however, does not heal over time, continues to grow, and gives a feeling of hardness to the tissue.
The suspicious lesion on the lip is examined by a physician. A definitive diagnosis is established by taking a small tissue sample (biopsy) from the lesion and identifying cancer cells in the laboratory.
In the early stages, the cancerous area is surgically excised, leaving a healthy margin around it, and the aesthetic structure of the lip is reconstructed with plastic surgery. If necessary, lymph nodes in the neck are also addressed.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
