People who are exposed to direct sun light are at greater risk of developing the lip cancer. this article principally deals with lip cancer symptoms which are a most common form of oral cancer.

The oral cavity in a human body includes parts that have individual tasks to perform. the front part of the oral cavity is the tongue that occupies two thirds of the oral cavity. the lining inside of the cheeks is called the buccal mucosa. the gingiva is the tissue of the upper and lower jaws that surrounds the base of the teeth. the other name for gingiva is gums. the floor of the mouth under the tongue and the hard palate are the two parts of the oral cavity. the hard palate is the roof of the mouth. the small area behind the wisdom teeth is called retromolar trigone.

The lip cancer starts in squamous cells. Squamous cells are the thin, flat cells that line up the lips and oral cavity. These cells are called squamous cell carcinomas. As the cancer grows, these cells may spread into deeper tissue inside the oral cavity. Squamous cell carcinomas usually start in areas of Leukoplakia.

The risk factors involved in lip cancer are chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol heavily. These risk factors are also similar to other forms of oral cavity cancers. However, it must be kept in mind that having a risk factor does not mean that the individual is certain to develop the cancer. Scientists seldom explain the reason behind why one person develops the disease and another does not.

The persons are at increased risk of having lip cancer if they are habituated to tobacco products. People who live near equators or are exposed to direct sun light are at higher risk of developing the cancer. Scientists have proposed that people who use artificial sunlight such as tanning beds for longer periods are also at greater risk of developing the cancer. Males are more susceptible to this disease compared to females. Human Papilloma virus is considered as a major risk factor behind lip cancer. People who are infected with HPV are at higher risk of developing the disease.

Lip Cancer Symptoms

• Change in voice
• Swelling of jaw
• Trouble chewing or swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
• Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lip or mouth
• A white or red patch on  the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth
• A lump or thickening on the lips or gums or in the mouth
• A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal
• Sore throat or feeling that something is trapped in the throat
• Dentures that does not fit in the mouth

Lip or oral cavity cancer symptoms may found during a regular dental exam.

The prognosis and treatment of the lip cancer depends upon certain factors which are enlisted below.

Prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

• The stage of the cancer
• Whether the tumor is in the lip or oral cavity
• Whether the cancer has spread to blood vessels

The doctor may ask people to stop smoking before beginning radiation therapy.

Treatment options depend on the following:

• The patient’s age and general health conditions
• The stage of the cancer
• The size and location of the tumor in the lip or oral cavity
• Whether the patient’s look and capacity to talk and eat can stay unchanged

People having oral cavity or lip caner are at increased risk of developing a second cancer in the head or neck. Careful and regular follow-up of the clinical trials is indispensable.  Scientists are working on clinical trials of use of retinoid drugs to reduce the risk of a second head and neck cancer.

Demographically nine of ten people over 45 years of age are diagnosed for lip cancer. it is advisable to have a thorough knowledge of the lip cancer symptoms and schedule an appointment with a doctor, in case the above mentioned symptoms manifest.