We all talk about various other types of cancer but we do not talk much regarding lip cancer. Truth is that lip cancer could develop near the lip region either upper lip or lower lip region. At first, lip cancer will start as mouth sore only and it won`t heal even after a long time. This sore would appear as reddish coloured in those persons who are white coloured and as dark brown coloured in those who have darkish complexion. It must be noted that most lip cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.

Reasons or causes for lip cancer:

Excess tobacco consumption:

A person can get both lip cancer and lung cancer if he or she consumes excess amounts of tobacco or due to excess smoking.

Excess alcohol consumption:

It is possible to get affected by lip cancer if a person consumes excess amounts of alcohol.

Exposure to UV radiation:

The skin of the lips would get damaged if a person exposed too much to the UV radiations from the sun.

Poor immune functions:

A person would have more chances of getting lip cancer if conditions or certain treatments suppress the immune system.

Symptoms of lip cancer:

Unexplained change in lip colour:

It is important to get treated if the lips of a person changes colour or forming dark patches around the lips.

Presence of lumps:

The presence of unusual lumps around the lip region is a warning sign of lip cancer. So, please be careful.

Frequent ulcers:

It must be noted that swelling around the lips or developing ulcers or sores around lips could be symptoms.

Sensitivity around lips:

Please be careful regarding increased sensitivity around the lip region. It can be a sign of lip cancer too.

Unexplained frequent bleeding:

Another important sign of lip cancer could be unexplained frequent bleeding and difficulty in swallowing food etc.

Lip cancer diagnosis & treatment:

The diagnosis of lip cancer would be carried out by physical examination by removal of a sample tissue for testing and imaging test to check if the cancer has spread beyond lips. Various treatments for lip cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy etc.