The first signs of lip cancer, a description of symptoms according to the stages of disease development

At the end of the last century, malignant tumors of the oral cavity were considered a concomitant disease of wastrels due to the abuse of tobacco and alcohol. Today, experts also include the human papilloma virus among the causes of cancer in this localization, so the frequency of all head and neck tumors has increased significantly.

• What precedes cancer
• When should a malignant process be suspected?
• Stages of lip cancer
• How to treat

Head and neck cancer ranks sixth in the world among all malignant tumors and will soon be in the TOP-5, but, unlike its “brothers” in localization, the detection rate of lip cancer is not increasing, but is steadily decreasing.

The incidence of lip cancer has decreased by more than 16% over the past 5 years. In 2022, carcinoma was detected in 2,235 Russians, with men getting sick 2.7 times more often.

• Out of 100 thousand people, 29 Russians develop the disease, and at a more mature age than a decade ago.
• The average age of affected women is 75.5 years; in them, the tumor is often localized on the upper lip.
• In men, cancer is diagnosed on average 8 years earlier, in most cases on the lower lip.
• In 87.6%, the disease is detected at stages 1-2, stage 3 with metastases to the lymph nodes is diagnosed in 8%, and stage 4 in 4.6%.

Causes of lip cancer

Why lip cancer develops, like other types of cancer, is still not known exactly. In most cases, this is preceded by one or another chronic process. The risk group consists of men over 40 years of age. In women, lip cancer occurs in 3-8% of the total number of cases.

Risk factors for this disease include:

• permanent mechanical injuries to the lip due to incorrect dentures, the sharp edge of a carious tooth, or a malocclusion;
• regularly recurring or chronic infection on the lip, for example, cheilitis of a viral or bacterial nature;
• smoking, excessive consumption of too hot food or alcohol;
• constant contact with harmful substances;
• constant hypothermia or overheating.

The hereditary factor is no less significant - if loved ones had a similar disease, then the person has an increased risk of developing it.

Symptoms

The entire process of development of cancer affecting the lips can be described as follows:

• lip tissue thickens;
• it progressively increases, ulceration appears in the center of the tumor;
• it becomes crusty on top, and raised ridges form along the edges of the ulcer.

It is these external symptoms that appear at the beginning and give reason to suspect malignant development. In most cases, the lump is localized away from the center and corners of the mouth - tumors rarely occur in these places.

In addition to external signs, the patient develops symptoms of a general deterioration of his condition:

• constant weakness;
• slight loss in body weight;
• decreased appetite;
• frequent headache;
• temperature up to 37.8 °C for a long time.

It is worth noting that general symptoms may be the only manifestation of the disease at the initial stage. Externally, the tumor may not yet show itself. And only with the progression of the disease external signs appear. They are also accompanied by other symptoms:

• pain in the affected area;
• severe itching of the skin;
• discomfort and pain when eating.

When should a malignant process be suspected?

A long-term pathological process on the skin of the lip without a tendency to cure with active therapeutic measures should always raise suspicion that it is of poor quality. If the “spot” does not respond to local treatment and increases in size, you should immediately consult an oncologist.

The appearance of ulcerations and bleeding, or any thickening where there used to be soft skin, should be alarming. These symptoms can be either single or in combination, but even with a single symptom, the lack of treatment result within 3 weeks can be regarded as a bad sign, which can only be “clarified” by a biopsy of the skin defect. And the sooner it is done, the better.

Stages

The oncologist determines the stage of the disease. This is important for prescribing effective therapy. The stage of the disease must be indicated in the diagnosis. Let's look at the stages using the example of stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip (T2N1M0). Each sign in the designation has its own role. The letters TNM define the characteristics of a malignant tumor and the stage of cancer:

• T – Tumor, which means tumor size: T1 – no more than 2 cm, T2 – 2-4 cm, T3 – more than 4 cm, T4 – the tumor has grown into surrounding organs;
• N – Nodus. Indicates the degree of damage to the lymph nodes: N0 – lymph nodes are not affected, N1 – enlargement of nearby lymph nodes up to 3 cm, N2 – small lesions in several nodes or a large lesion in one, N3 – enlargement of several lymph nodes by more than 6 cm;
• M - Metastasis. Shows whether the lip tumor has caused the spread of metastases to other organs: M0 – no metastases, M – yes.

Classification of pathology

The type of malignant neoplasms under consideration is represented by two types. The classification of lip cancer involves the separation of keratinizing and non-keratinizing tumors. The first type of neoplasm accounts for up to 95% of clinically registered cases of pathology. Cancer of this type has a favorable course - slow growth, moderate invasion of adjacent tissues, and rare metastasis.

Non-keratinizing lesions of the red border of the lips are more aggressive. The tumor grows rapidly, affects adjacent tissues, and forms numerous foci of metastasis. Lymphogenic metastases develop in the submandibular and mental lymph nodes, hematogenous - in the lungs. Secondary tumors of the first type are detected in 8% of patients, of the second - in 2%.

Diagnostics

The specialist prescribes a series of laboratory and instrumental examinations to the patient. The tumor is visible to the naked eye, so a specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis during a consultation.

But seeing symptoms is not enough - you need to confirm them with examination results. They are also necessary to determine the extent of tumor spread. With the help of diagnostics, it is possible to identify the stages of lip cancer, which is important for prescribing adequate treatment. The doctor also needs to find out about the presence of metastases and damage to the lymph nodes.

The following diagnostic methods help determine the presence of cancer:

• cytology of a sample of cells from the suspicious area;
• blood test for tumor markers;
• MRI and CT of the neck and face;
• X-ray examination of the jaw;
• fluorescent diagnostics.

Prevention

There are primary and secondary prevention of lip cancer. Oncologists recommend:

• Take precautions when exposed to the sun (wear a wide-brimmed hat);
• Stop smoking pipes and cigarettes;
• Maintain oral hygiene;
• Change working conditions;
• Do not drink strong alcoholic drinks.

For persons prone to dyskeratosis of the lips and cheilitis, oncologists at the Yusupov Hospital conduct an annual preventive examination. Secondary prevention of lip cancer consists of regular dental treatment at the dentist, surgical intervention in the presence of dyskeratosis and cheilitis.

Lip cancer treatment

Depending on the stage of lip cancer pathology identified during the diagnostic process, the doctor prescribes therapy. If metastases and lymph node damage are not observed, doctors limit themselves to local procedures using ultraviolet light, radiation or cold. Otherwise, you have to resort to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy

If the initial stage of lip cancer is successfully treated using surgery, then chemotherapy is more effective when the tumor spreads throughout the body. It is used as a temporary way to stop the progression of cancer. Chemotherapy helps when the lymph nodes are affected and there are metastases to other organs. It involves the intravenous administration of special drugs that have a toxic effect on cancer cells.

Surgical method

Using the cryosurgery method, you can significantly improve the prognosis of recovery and minimize the risk of symptoms of lip cancer in the future. The method consists of cooling the tissues and then excising them with a scalpel. Then they are immediately coagulated with an electric, argon plasma or other type of scalpel. The effectiveness of cold lies in the fact that it creates a boundary between pathological and healthy cells, which allows the doctor to remove the affected areas with high precision.

Radiation therapy

Even if the patient has an initial stage of lip cancer, this does not guarantee that the tumor will not begin to spread throughout the body. For this reason, surgery is often combined with radiation therapy. It allows you to destroy cells that may remain after the operation.

Radiation therapy completely destroys pathological lesions without affecting healthy tissue. This effect can be achieved through the use of targeted radioactive radiation.

Prognosis and survival

It is difficult to make a prognosis for oncology, but as for lip tumors, the prognosis is conditionally considered favorable.

Much depends on the individual characteristics of the body. But lip tumors develop slowly, and the survival rate decreases when metastases appear. They destroy lymph nodes and jaw bones.

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, such complications can be avoided.

Treatment under a medical policy

You can receive FREE medical care at the Oncology Center under the State Guarantee Program of Compulsory Medical Insurance (Compulsory Medical Insurance) and High-Tech Medical Care.

The service is valid for all Russian citizens.

To find out more details, as well as for what nosologies and services this program works, please call +7, or you can read in more detail here.

The multidisciplinary oncology clinic “Sofia” gives patients the opportunity to undergo a course of therapy within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance policy. This is a special quota program that provides free medical services financed from federal and local budgets. Within its framework the following can be performed:

• PET/CT;
• radiation therapy;
• chemotherapy;
• IHC;
• surgery.

Medical services under compulsory medical insurance are available to all citizens of Russia. First of all, patients with a diagnosis that poses a serious threat to their life can count on free therapy.

By contacting us for medical assistance under compulsory medical insurance, you can significantly shorten the path to obtaining a quota. Our therapist or oncologist will prepare a statement with a confirmed diagnosis and the results of earlier studies. This document must be submitted to the regional health authority along with:

• an application for cancer treatment under the compulsory medical insurance policy;
• Russian passport and insurance policy;
• SNILS;
• consent to the processing of personal data;
• pension certificate (for pensioners).

Benefits of onco

For more than 30 years, onco has been working for the health and comfort of patients with oncology. During this time, we have developed an ideal efficiency formula, which includes:

• maximum safety;
• exact compliance with domestic and international standards and protocols;
• experienced and competent oncologists, diagnosticians, laboratory technicians and consultants;
• modern and high-tech medical equipment;
• uncompromising comfort and support for patients at every stage of therapy.

The high level of service and quality of services has been repeatedly confirmed by numerous certificates and awards. Most of the doctors working for us have trained in medical institutions in the USA and Europe, learning from the invaluable experience of their foreign colleagues.

In our work, we achieve amazing results not only thanks to modern equipment and a staff of true professionals. Our patients feel safe and comfortable, as all rooms of the oncology center are beautifully designed. The furnishings and interior are imbued with a favorable atmosphere, far from a hospital one. Also available to patients and those accompanying them is a pharmacy, a cozy cafe and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views.

Two onco buildings have extensive territories; The buildings themselves house many offices, departments and treatment rooms. To prevent you from getting lost, our employee will guide you to the right door. Finding a place for your car will also not be a problem: we have a large parking lot.

Make an appointment

Do not delay your visit to a specialist - the sooner the disease is detected, the higher the chances of a full recovery. Onco works on weekends and holidays, so you can schedule a consultation at any time. To do this, use the method most convenient for you:

• call us at our contact number;
• use the online form on the website.

We are located at 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskaya lane, 10, not far from the metro stations “Belorusskaya”, “Novoslobodskaya”, “Mayakovskaya”, “Mendeleevskaya” and “Chekhovskaya”.