Lip cancer is one part of the general term mouth cancer, which can also take place in the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth and tongue. The lips are an area that is often the first point of contact with food and beverages when they are being consumed. They are also the location where tobacco products lie for long periods of time. This is one of the main reasons lip cancer can appear.
Significance
The epithelial cells are the outermost ones that cover the lips. When cancer develops, it starts at this location in the form of a neoplasm, which is malignant tumor. This area then has to be removed. When this happens, speech and eating become more difficult. This disturbance becomes even greater when the cancer is bigger and more tissue needs to be removed.
Risks
Any use of tobacco products is one of the main risk factors for lip cancer. This includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can eventually lead to lip cancer. If you drink heavy amounts of alcohol and expose your lips to the sun for long periods of time, you can also increase your chances of getting cancer.
Symptoms
Whits spots, lumps and sores can all appear on the lips when cancer has developed. You can also experience pain on the lip and in the lymph node that is nearby. This may indicate that the cancer has spread.
Diagnosis
The lips are examined for abnormalities by dentists during check-ups. If there is a suspicious looking area, x-rays and biopsies will be done to check for cancer. With biopsies, a small amount of tissue is removed from the suspected area and analyzed under a microscope in a lab to see if there are any cancer cells present.
Treatments
After removing the cancerous area with surgery, there are various follow-up treatments that are also utilized. Chemotherapy and radiation are used to kill cancer cells and prevent it from spreading. If there was a lot of tissue taken out, reconstructive surgery is often performed to restore the appearance of the face and improve the ability to eat and function.
Prevention/Solution
To lower your risk of developing lip cancer, avoid tobacco, drink alcohol only in moderation and eat a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables. Keeping your lips protected with a high SPF lip balm when you are exposed to the sun is another preventive measure.
