Oral cancer is a general term used for cancer that affects the oral cavity, which includes the mouth, lips and throat. This type of cancer usually involves mutations in the squamous cells that cover the surface of the lips. If the signs of lip cancer appear, it is important to seek medical attention and catch the disease before the cancer spreads to other areas of the body.
Lip Sores
Lip sores or ulcers can be a sign of cancer of the lips, states the National Cancer Institute. Any sore that takes longer than two weeks to heal, does not heal at all or that bleeds periodically should be a cause for concern. This is especially true for those with a higher risk of oral cancer, such as men, those over 50, smokers, individuals who chew tobacco, consume heavy amounts of alcohol or have spent a lot of time in the sun or in tanning beds.
Lumps
Lumps or thick, hard and raised areas of tissue on the lips are another warning sign of lip cancer, claims Merck. The lump may be the same color as the lips or appear white, red, blue, black or brown in color. The lump may be smooth or rough and may have an uneven shape. It may crust over and additional lumps may appear in the mouth. In addition, smokers can develop a brown, flat, freckle-like area called a smoker's patch, on the part of the lips that a cigarette or pipe usually touches.
Lip cancer can be detected by a physician or dentist during a routine exam. Various tests confirm the diagnosis. The good news is that lip cancer is curable if it is caught when it is small, in the early stages and has not yet spread to other areas. To catch it early it is best to be screened every three years after age 20 and annually after age 40.
Numbness or Pain
Cancer of the lip may also cause the lip or mouth area to feel numb or tingly, or a complete loss of sensation may occur, warns the Cleveland Clinic. Some patients develop pain in the lips and mouth that gets worse as the cancer grows. Lip cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery when necessary.
