AHNS Series – Do you know your guidelines? Lip cancer

• Published in: Head & neck 2017-08, Vol.39 (8), p.1505-1509
• Main Authors: Dougherty, William, Givi, Babak, Jameson, Mark J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: assessment; Cancer; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - therapy; guidelines; Head & neck cancer; Head and neck; head and neck cancer; Humans; Lip; lip neoplasm; Lip Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Lip Neoplasms - pathology; Lip Neoplasms - therapy; Minority & ethnic groups; Neck; Neck Dissection; Neoplasm Staging; Oral cancer; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Squamous cell carcinoma; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.24817

Background Lip cancer is one of the most curable primary head and neck malignancies, as the prominent location typically lends to an early diagnosis. The incidence of lip cancer varies by sex, ethnicity, and region, but is estimated to be up to 2.5/100 000 in the United States (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]). Methods This article will review the current literature and National Comprehensive Cancer Network practice guidelines in the treatment of lip cancer. Results Resection of lip cancer with negative margins remains the mainstay of therapy. Positive nodal disease should be treated with neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion Lip cancer remains highly curable when diagnosed at an early stage. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to treating patients with advanced‐stage lip cancer.