Cancer of the lip is typically grouped with other cancers of the oral cavity. This group is defined by the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center as including the front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the inside lining of the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth beneath the tongue and the hard palate. Once lip cancer is diagnosed, it is staged based on the extent of disease, from stage 0 to stage IV, in order of ascending severity. Stages 0 through II are considered to be the early stages of lip cancer.
Stage 0
The National Cancer Institute describes stage 0 lip cancer, or carcinoma in situ, as abnormal cells that are found in the lining of the lips. While not cancerous, these abnormalities may become cancerous and spread to other areas. Treatment at this stage involves taking off the top layers of tissue with a small amount of healthy tissue; this is called surgical stripping, according to the American Cancer Society. If the abnormal cells keep recurring, radiation may be warranted.
Stage I
Stage I lip cancer is cancer that is less than 2 cm and has not spread to other tissues or lymph nodes. Treatment for lip cancer at this stage consists of surgery, but if the tumor is larger than originally thought, further surgery or radiation therapy may be necessary, according to the American Cancer Society. A type of surgery called Mohs or micrographic surgery, may be done. This surgery involves resecting the tumor in very thin slices, with each slice examined immediately. This is done until no cancer cells are seen in the slice under the microscope. Sometimes radiation is the first line of treatment, followed by surgery if there is leftover tumor.
Stage II
According to the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, stage II lip cancer is larger than 2 cm but less than 4 cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes. Treatment for this stage of lip cancer is the same as for stage I, says the American Cancer Society. If the tumor is very thick, removal of lymph nodes may be performed to examine whether cancer has spread to the nodes.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer Stages
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center: Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer
- American Cancer Society: What are the key statistics about oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers?
- American Cancer Society: Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers: treatment by stage
