Introduction
To begin with, lip cancer is a type of cancer that affects the skin of the lips. It can also appear on either the upper or lower lip, but the lower lip is the most common. Also, this malignancy is a type of mouth cancer.
Lip cancer can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including excessive sun exposure and cigarette use. As a result, protect your face from the sun. To reduce your risk of acquiring lip cancer, you must also quit smoking.
What does lip cancer mean?
Lip cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control on the lips, causing lesions or tumors. Oral cancer includes lip cancer. Moreover, it begins in thin squamous cells flat cells that border the:
- Lips, mouth, tongue, cheeks
- Hard neck, sinuses, and throat
Lip cancer can affect anyone; however, it is more common in pale-skinned men over 50. Furthermore, persons who smoke, drink excessively, or spend too much time in the sun are more likely to get the condition. Also in danger are persons who have become hypersensitive as a result of an organ transplant.
A non-healing mouth sore is a common symptom of lip cancer. Additionally, persons with pale skin may notice a scarlet appearance to this sore. On people with a darker complexion, it may seem dark brown or grey. Furthermore, lip cancer can present itself in a variety of ways, so if you see anything strange, make an appointment with your doctor.
Symptoms and signs
Lip cancer in its early stages can appear as a flat or slightly elevated spot of discoloration. These are some of the other signs and symptoms of this cancer:
- A persistent pain, lump, blister, or ulcer.
- Bleeding
- Pain
- The jaw swells up.
Oral cancer is diagnosed in over 40,000 persons each year.
Causes
Experts aren’t sure what causes lip cancer, but several factors greatly enhance your chances of having the disease. The following are major risk factors:
- Tobacco consumption. (Including snuff, chewing tobacco, and smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.)
- HPV infection (human papillomavirus virus).
- A compromised immune system.
- Having a fair complexion.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages in excess.
- Excessive exposure to the sun.
- Being over 40 years old.
- Being a man.
Stages of Lip Cancer
The primary stages of mouth cancer are as follows:
- Mouth Cancer in Stage 0
This stage is called carcinoma in situ. It refers to aberrant cells that have the potential to develop cancerous in the lining of the lips or oral cavity.
- Mouth Cancer in Stage I
This stage refers to a quite early stage of cancer. The tumor has a size of less than 2 cm.
- Mouth Cancer in Stage 2
A tumor that is greater than 2 centimeters but not more than 4 centimeters is classified as Stage II.
- Mouth Cancer in Stage 3
Cancer that is greater than 4 cm in diameter or has migrated to a lymph node in the neck is classified as stage III mouth cancer.
- Mouth Cancer Stage 4
Stage IV is the most advanced stage of oral cancer. It can be any size, but it has spread to adjacent tissue like the jaw or other regions of the oral cavity. (Above 3 cm in size)
Conclusion
Lip cancer is discovered and treated early in the majority of cases because lesions occur in plainly visible areas.
As a result, the five-year survival rate for lip cancer is 92 percent. This means that 92 percent of patients who have been diagnosed with the disease are still alive after five years.
Survival rates can’t tell you anything about your case or how long you’ll live. Ask your healthcare professional if you have any other questions about survival rates.