Lip cancer is anoral cancerthat starts when theDNAinside a cell on the lip becomes abnormal.
The lips are lined with cells called squamous cells, which are the outermost layers of the lip.
Cancer of the lip is most likely to develop in these types of cells and is calledsquamous cell carcinoma.
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This occurs most frequently on the bottom lip.
This may look like an ulcer or a rough patch that is not getting better.
Ultimately, a biopsy is what is needed to diagnose lip cancer.
Does Lip Cancer Spread to Other Areas?
Once a biopsy and all imaging studies are complete, lip cancer is given a stage.
Treatments may include:
Surgery
The main form of treatment for lip cancer is surgical removal.
During the surgery, the lip cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it are removed.
Sometimes lymph nodes in the neck are removed as well to check for cancer involvement.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapymay also be required to treat lip cancer.
Chemotherapy is a medication that is given to kill cancer cells.
It works by stopping cell growth at various points of their reproductive cycle.
Chemotherapy can be given alone or in combination with radiation.
Side effects from chemotherapy vary depending on the specific chemotherapy medication being given.
Radiation
Duringradiation, beams of X-rays are used to kill cancer cells.
Working differently than chemotherapy, immunotherapy helps a persons immune system recognize and attack cancer.
Typically immunotherapy is well tolerated but comes with the risk of autoimmune reactions.
In an autoimmune reaction, the immune system attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation and side effects.
When found at an early stage, cure rates are high, at over 90%.
The risk of recurrence of lip cancer is estimated at between 5% and 35%.
If cancer is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, cure rates decrease to less than 50%.
Coping With Lip Cancer
Sometimes coping with lip cancer can be difficult.
Having a good support system of people you’re free to talk to is important as well.
These may be family members, friends, or others who have the same diagnosis.
National Cancer Institute.Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (adult).
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Lip cancer.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Mouth cancer stages.
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Oral Cancer Foundation.Chemotherapy.
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
