Lip cancer is a type oforal (mouth) cancerthat occurs whenmalignant(cancerous) cellsdevelop in the lips. Symptoms are similar to less serious conditions, such as cold sores or chapped lips, so they are often overlooked. Sun exposure and tobacco use are two of the most common risk factors for lip cancer.
Because symptoms of lip cancer are in a visible area, they are usually caught early. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to catch signs of this disease. As a result, treatment is often successful.
According to theAmerican Cancer Society, when lip cancer is caught before it has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized), the five-year survival rate is 93%.
This article reviews common lip cancer symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Common Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of lip cancer can be pretty obvious. However, they can easily be mistaken for another concern, such as a cold sore or chapped lips. The most common symptoms include:
During the initial stages of lip cancer, symptoms may be minor and include a slightly raised or discolored area. As lip cancer progresses, sores develop and become more persistent, bigger, and more painful. A lump in the neck or swollen lymph nodes is seen in up to 15% of later stages of lip cancer.
Symptoms of Oral Cancers
The Importance of Dental ExamsAlways keep up with regular dental cleanings and exams; your dental team will be on the lookout for signs of lip cancer at these visits.
The Importance of Dental Exams
Always keep up with regular dental cleanings and exams; your dental team will be on the lookout for signs of lip cancer at these visits.
Risk Factors
Knowing common risk factors can help you be on the lookout for any suspicious findings on your lips. Risk factors of lip cancer include:
Lip Balm With SunscreenUse alip balm that contains sunscreen, and reapply it frequently—especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Lip Balm With Sunscreen
Use alip balm that contains sunscreen, and reapply it frequently—especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Diagnosis
If you have a visible sore or lesion, your healthcare provider will visually examine it. They will ask you how long you have had it, if it has worsened, and if you suspect anything has caused it.
Ultimately, only a biopsy can rule out lip cancer.You may receive a referral to an ear-nose-throat healthcare provider for this procedure. Underlocalanesthesia, they can biopsy the area in-office. Pain is minimal and usually subsides in one to two days.
Advanced or complex cases may requiregeneral anesthesiaor sedation. Children who need biopsies may also be given general anesthesia for their safety during the procedure.
Differential Diagnoses
There are many common causes of lip sores, such as eating new foods, biting your lip, or taking some medications.
In addition, unrelated conditions such ascold sores,canker sores, andherpesmay cause lip ulcers and can develop at any time of life.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease can also cause lip sores; it occurs most often in children under 5, though it can affect older individuals.
When examining you, your healthcare provider will work to rule out these concerns before diagnosing lip cancer.
How Oral Cancer Is Diagnosed
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have a sore, lump, crusting, thickening, discoloration, or any other suspicious findings on your lip that don’t go away after a couple of weeks, it’s best to see a healthcare provider. If you have one of the known risk factors, be extra vigilant about seeing a healthcare provider if symptoms arise.
It’s also important to keep up with your dental exams and cleaning. Your dental team can help monitor for signs and symptoms, and good oral hygiene reduces the risk of lip cancer.
Summary
Lip cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Knowing risk factors and symptoms can help you know when to see a healthcare provider.
Common symptoms of lip cancer include sores, lumps, bleeding, discoloration, crusty patches, and more. The most common risk factors are sun exposure and tobacco use.
Lip cancer symptoms are often overlooked because they mimic less serious conditions. If you have symptoms that don’t resolve within a couple of weeks, especially if you have known risk factors, see a healthcare or dental provider as soon as possible.
A Word From Verywell
As with any condition, early detection is key. It is important to see your healthcare provider if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Treatment for lip cancer is similar to other oral cancers.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are the most commontreatment options. But remember to take this process one step at a time. While symptoms could mean lip cancer, they very well could be due to something far less concerning. Only a healthcare provider can tell you that.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCold sores, dry or peeling lips, injury, and chapped lips can be mistaken for lip cancer. It’s important to note that sores from lip cancer do not go away after a couple of weeks.During the initial stages of lip cancer, symptoms may be minor and include a slightly raised or discolored area. As lip cancer progresses, symptoms include:SoresLumpsDiscolorationBleedingNumbnessCrusty patchesItchingA pale area that looks like a scarA lump in the neck or swollen lymph nodes may occur in the later stages of lip cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold sores, dry or peeling lips, injury, and chapped lips can be mistaken for lip cancer. It’s important to note that sores from lip cancer do not go away after a couple of weeks.
During the initial stages of lip cancer, symptoms may be minor and include a slightly raised or discolored area. As lip cancer progresses, symptoms include:SoresLumpsDiscolorationBleedingNumbnessCrusty patchesItchingA pale area that looks like a scarA lump in the neck or swollen lymph nodes may occur in the later stages of lip cancer.
During the initial stages of lip cancer, symptoms may be minor and include a slightly raised or discolored area. As lip cancer progresses, symptoms include:
A lump in the neck or swollen lymph nodes may occur in the later stages of lip cancer.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Survival rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.Lowe A.Spotting the signs and symptoms of lip cancer in patients.BDJ Team.2021;8(10):28–31. doi:10.1038/s41407-021-0778-6Biasoli E, Valente V, Mantovan B, et al.Lip cancer: a clinicopathological study and treatment options.Jour of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2016;74(7):1360-1367. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2016.01.041Mannelli C.Tissue vs liquid biopsies for cancer detection: ethical issues.J Bioeth Inq. 2019;16(4):551-557. doi:10.1007/s11673-019-09944-y
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Survival rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.Lowe A.Spotting the signs and symptoms of lip cancer in patients.BDJ Team.2021;8(10):28–31. doi:10.1038/s41407-021-0778-6Biasoli E, Valente V, Mantovan B, et al.Lip cancer: a clinicopathological study and treatment options.Jour of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2016;74(7):1360-1367. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2016.01.041Mannelli C.Tissue vs liquid biopsies for cancer detection: ethical issues.J Bioeth Inq. 2019;16(4):551-557. doi:10.1007/s11673-019-09944-y
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Survival rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.Lowe A.Spotting the signs and symptoms of lip cancer in patients.BDJ Team.2021;8(10):28–31. doi:10.1038/s41407-021-0778-6Biasoli E, Valente V, Mantovan B, et al.Lip cancer: a clinicopathological study and treatment options.Jour of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2016;74(7):1360-1367. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2016.01.041Mannelli C.Tissue vs liquid biopsies for cancer detection: ethical issues.J Bioeth Inq. 2019;16(4):551-557. doi:10.1007/s11673-019-09944-y
American Cancer Society.Survival rate for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
Lowe A.Spotting the signs and symptoms of lip cancer in patients.BDJ Team.2021;8(10):28–31. doi:10.1038/s41407-021-0778-6
Biasoli E, Valente V, Mantovan B, et al.Lip cancer: a clinicopathological study and treatment options.Jour of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2016;74(7):1360-1367. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2016.01.041
Mannelli C.Tissue vs liquid biopsies for cancer detection: ethical issues.J Bioeth Inq. 2019;16(4):551-557. doi:10.1007/s11673-019-09944-y
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