What Does Lip Cancer Look Like?
Medical Review By: Thomas Pham, MD
Your lips are important for lots of things, including chewing and kissing. While the occasional cold sore or cause of chapped lips is annoying, lip cancer is another story entirely.
Lip cancer in its early stages is hard to notice, but that’s when it’s most treatable. By the time a lip tumor becomes obvious, cancer requires more invasive treatment, and it may spread to other parts of your body.
If you get a lot of sun exposure, or you smoke, chew tobacco, or drink heavily, it’s time to learn how to spot it.
Types of lip cancer
Lip cancer usually takes the form of squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer occurs in the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells found in the middle and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell cancer of the lip is much more aggressive than squamous cell cancer found in other places of the skin. It’s more likely to spread to the head and neck and harder to treat.
Much less frequently, lip cancer is melanoma, one of the deadliest types of cancer.
Lip cancer symptoms
The lower lip is more vulnerable to lip cancer because it gets more sun exposure than the upper lip. Symptoms to watch for include:
- A sore, ulcer or lesion on your lip that doesn’t heal (a cold sore, unlike lip cancer, does heal)
- A lump or thickened area on the lip
- Whitish or reddish patches on the lip
- Lip pain, bleeding or numbness
- A lump in your neck or swollen glands
- Jaw swelling or tightness
A precancerous condition that can lead to squamous cell cancer of the lip is actinic cheilitis. Symptoms include:
- Scaly whitish patches on the lip
- Dryness or peeling that won’t heal
- A rough, sandpapery texture
- Blurring of the border between the lip and the adjacent skin
- Loss of color in the skin of the lip
- Swelling or redness of the lip
Who gets lip cancer?
UV radiation from spending a lot of time in the sun or using tanning beds is the leading cause of lip cancer. Certain habits, such as smoking or chewing tobacco and excessive drinking, also increase the risk.
Other risk factors for lip cancer include having a weakened immune system, having fair skin, being over 40 years old, and being infected with certain strains of human papillomavirus (particularly strains 16 and 18). Lip cancer is more common in men, possibly because they are more likely to work outdoors and less likely to use lip balm with SPF. They may also be more likely to have smoked or consumed too much alcohol in the past.
Recent research suggests that taking hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing lip cancer. This drug is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure.
Lip cancer treatment
Lip cancer is usually curable; most people survive it and have a good outcome after treatment.
The doctor may recommend Mohs surgery to remove the tumor. In this procedure, the surgeon gradually removes layers of the tumor and a small amount of tissue surrounding it, checking each layer for cancer cells. The surgery ends when cancer cells can no longer be detected under a microscope. Mohs surgery lets surgeons identify and remove tiny roots of cancer, which helps prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Advanced cases are usually treated by an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT). Radiation and/or chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with surgery. In rare cases, radiation “seed” therapy is used to treat patients who opt out of surgery. Reconstructive surgery may be necessary to repair the lip.
Protect your lips by following these tips:
Wear lip balm with SPF. Choose a lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 and wear it whenever you go outside. A wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea.
Don’t use tanning beds. Indoor tanning isn’t any safer for your skin than lying in the sun.
Limit or quit smoking and drinking. This is especially important if you drink and also smoke. These habits together put you at much higher risk for lip cancer than either habit alone.
See your dentist regularly. Dentists are often the ones to detect lip cancer, so keep up with routine cleanings and exams.
If you notice any unusual changes in your lip when you look in the mirror, don’t panic. But if something looks or feels different and the problem doesn’t resolve quickly, call your dermatologist ASAP. Treating lip cancer early means less risk of spoiling your smile.
Article Written By: Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written for Prevention magazine, jnj.com, BCRF.org, and many other outlets.
Spotting Skin Cancer
Have you ever looked at a spot on your skin and asked yourself, “Should I be concerned about that?” Most of us have. At Water’s Edge Dermatology, we want to help make everyone smarter about skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Early detection is vital. When diagnosed early, skin cancer treatment has a high success rate. Though most skin cancer occurs on the outside of your body, it can appear anywhere – from your scalp to between your toes and even the bottoms of your feet and under your nails.
The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to conduct regular skin self-exams. That way you can be aware of any changes in your skin over time. If possible, have a partner do a skin check with you and help you examine hard-to-see areas like your scalp and back.
What skin cancer looks like
Skin cancer can appear on the body in different ways and can look like:
- A changing mole or mole that appears different from your other moles;
- A dome-shaped growth;
- A scaly patch;
- A non-healing sore or sore that heals and comes back;
- A brown or black streak under a finger or toenail.
Dermatologists sum it up this way: If you notice a spot on your skin that differs from the others, changes, itches or bleeds, you see your dermatologist and have it checked out.
But I don’t feel sick
You can have skin cancer and feel just fine. In fact, most people who find a suspicious spot on their skin or a streak under a nail report that they don’t feel ill. If you notice a suspicious-looking spot, make an appointment with your Water's Edge Dermatology provider. Remember, when diagnosed early, skin cancer treatment is highly successful. If it is allowed time to grow, treatment can become more difficult.
There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are quite common and generally not life-threatening. Often, they can be treated using non-surgical methods such as Electron Beam Therapy. MOHS surgery is sometimes recommended depending on the size and location of the skin cancer.
Melanoma is a more serious type of skin cancer, though when detected early, melanoma is also highly treatable. People with an increased risk of melanoma, including men older than 50, people with more than 50 moles or large or unusual moles, people with fair skin, and those with a history of cancer, should talk to a dermatologist about how often they should schedule a skin exam from their practitioner.
What will the dermatologist do?
When you see your dermatologist for a suspicious spot, the provider will first examine the area. If it looks like it could be skin cancer, your dermatologist will remove all or part of it as part of a skin biopsy. A biopsy of the suspicious growth is the only way to diagnose skin cancer.
The biopsy is reviewed under a microscope by a dermapathologist to see if cancer cells are present. If cancer cells are identified, the biopsy report explain what type of skin cancer cells were found. Following a skin cancer diagnosis, your dermatologist can recommend the best skin cancer treatment for you.
If no cancer cells are found, the biopsy report will explain what was found under the microscope.
Water’s Edge Dermatology recommends that everyone have skin cancer screenings from a board-certified dermatologist, especially in sunny Florida. Schedule an appointment today and enjoy peace of mind. Click here to Request an Appointment or call 877.533.8214.
Non-Surgical Electron Beam Therapy for Skin Cancer at Water’s Edge
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Nearly 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, totaling nearly 3 million people. The two most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are also sometimes called nonmelanoma skin cancer. Rates of skin cancer are on the rise, with women experiencing the greatest increase in skin cancer numbers.
Basal cell carcinoma
The most common of all cancers, basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the U.S. It is a slow-growing cancer that is unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinoma has increased in recent years due to sunbathing and use of tanning salons. Though rarely fatal, it’s important to catch it in early stages. Look for pink bumps with these features:
- Pearly or waxy appearance
- Sunken center
- Irregular blood vessels on the surface
- A tendency to bleed easily after injury
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma also rarely spreads but does so more often than basal cell carcinoma. It is the second most common skin cancer. Also, rarely deadly, it may spread to nearby tissue or recur if not caught early. Look for:
- Raised, dull-red skin lesion
- Thick-crusted scale
- Ulcerated appearance
Additional warning signs
Both basal and squamous cell cancers commonly develop on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. These include the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. The development of an actinic keratosis is an early warning sign of skin cancer. This is a precancerous skin lesion that may appear pink or red in color and rough or scaly and may become larger if not treated.
Non-surgical treatment with Electron Beam Therapy
These cancers often can be treated without surgery using a type of radiation called Electronic Beam Therapy (EBT). EBT is a state-of-the-art treatment that is particularly helpful for treating cancers near the eyes, ears, nose or lips. EBT is also recommended for patients who have other medical issues that make surgery less desirable.
EBT uses a very thin, non-penetrating electron beam to destroy cancer cells in the targeted area while allowing protection of healthy cells. EBT doesn’t go any deeper than the skin, which helps limit any side effects to organs and body tissue.
EBT is painless. Each treatment lasts only a few minutes. For most patients, treatment involves two to six weeks of daily EBT, depending on the size and location of cancer. Patients experience little to no discomfort, and side effects are typically limited to the treatment site. Best of all, EBT delivers a 90 to 98 percent cure rate, depending on the location of the skin cancer.
Water’s Edge Dermatology offers EBT in several of our offices, including:
Enjoy peace of mind and request an appointment today for a skin cancer screening. Request an appointment.
New Skin Cancer Research & Treatment: Mid-2018 Update
For millions of Americans living with basal and squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma, each new breakthrough in skin cancer research & treatment matters deeply.
For some, it can mean the difference between life and death.
Thankfully, there’s a wealth of productive skin cancer research & treatment activity occurring worldwide here in 2018. There’s also more effort than ever to educate the public about prevention. More than ever, people understand that un/under-protected sun (or tanning bed) exposure damages the skin, and causes skin cancer.
But while more people are taking preventive measures, skin cancer rates keep rising. And to nobody’s great surprise, Florida leads the nation in annual diagnosed skin cancer cases.
Given these troubling truths, here’s to raising hopes as well. Let’s take a look at some of 2018’s brighter prospects in skin cancer research & treatment.
Breakthrough in Basal Cell Carcinoma Drug Resistance
With about 2 million new cases yearly, basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in America – and the most common cancer, period. If caught early enough, it can be treated successfully with surgical removal or targeted radiation treatment. If not, it can spread throughout the body. And, it can become notoriously drug-resistant.
That’s why the early-year announcement from Stanford University researchers was so potentially important. They’ve identified the protein behind the drug resistance and have had initial success blocking it. This has “significantly slowed the growth of drug-resistant basal cell carcinoma in mice”. More research and ultimately clinical trials on humans will be needed, but for now, hopeful news.
New Treatment for Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer with a million or so new cases a year. As with basal cell carcinoma, most cases can be treated successfully with surgery and/or radiation. But what if the disease progresses, what then?
For these advanced cases, there’s cause for new hope. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced the breakthrough in early June. A relatively new “immunotherapy” (more on that in a moment) drug called cemiplimab successfully shrank the tumors of almost half the patients in the study, by at least 30 percent.
Those are impressive numbers in the world of skin cancer research & treatment. Impressive enough for the FDA to grant “breakthrough therapy” status to the proposed new treatment, fast-tracking approval – and raising the hopes of many.
Focus of Melanoma & Skin Cancer Research & Treatment Shifting to Immunotherapy
The deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma, kills another American every hour. More than 175,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2018…and about ten thousand people will lose their lives.
If caught early and surgically removed, treatment is overwhelmingly successful. At more advanced stages, chemotherapy can be used, while newer targeted therapy and also combination therapy drug treatments are showing increasing success.
In recent years though, much of the focus in skin cancer research and treatment of malignant melanoma has shifted to immunotherapy. These are drug therapies intended to stimulate the patient’s own immune system to detect and kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy can be systemic; traveling the bloodstream through the entire body. Or it can be local, targeted to particular areas of the body, to specific tumors and lesions.
New targeted and combination treatments using different immunotherapy drugs have gained approval in recent years. Still other new drug therapies are in development. Results are promising.
For individuals and their families coping with advanced stage skin cancer, this can be life-changing or life-saving news. It’s especially worth noting that immunotherapy and other clinical trial opportunities are abundant, and available.
Good Bacteria May Help Treat Skin Cancer
You may have heard increasing evidence in recent years, that “good” bacteria (think probiotics) are critical to our intestinal and overall health. In February, new research from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine showed that the same principle may also apply to skin cancer research and treatment.
Initial tests on mice were intended to show whether common, usually harmless Staph bacteria from our skin could kill dangerous group A strep bacteria (strep throat, etc.). What they report finding instead, is Big News:
"This unique strain of skin bacteria produces a chemical that kills several types of cancer cells but does not appear to be toxic to normal cell. We showed activity against melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and ultraviolet-induced precancerous lesions."
Needless to say, there’s much more research and testing to come. But for now, another exciting 2018 development in skin cancer research.
Significant Weight Loss = Significant Skin Cancer Risk Reduction?
Maybe it’s not so surprising, given the role obesity plays in other diseases and cancers. But the world of skin cancer research and treatment was caught a bit off guard recently when Swedish researchers released their report.
The large-scale study examined 2,000+ patients who’d had bariatric surgery for obesity, studying their overall health outcomes for nearly 20 years following the surgery. The results unexpectedly uncovered a skin cancer risk reduction of more than 40 percent. The risk of developing melanoma? Reduced by more than 60 percent.
Much more study is needed to assess all other factors and cement the seemingly causal link. But for now, more reason for optimism.
In general, 2018 is shaping up as a dynamic year for promising and successful new developments in skin cancer research and treatment. We can only hope for the same, and then some, for 2019 and beyond.
Finding the Right Partner in Skin Cancer Prevention, Detection & Treatment
All the best research in the world can't help people who remain beyond the healing reach of professional dermatological education, detection and treatment. Developing an ongoing partnership with a great dermatologist in Arcadia, Jensen Beach, Lighthouse Point, West Palm Beach or any other Florida locality, really is vitally important.
Having an already-established relationship with a top skin care team specializing in skin cancer can be a huge advantage. There’s simply no better way to understand, prevent, detect, and if necessary, treat skin cancer at the very earliest possible stage -- when success rates are extremely high.
From comprehensive annual skin cancer screenings and preventive education to raise skin cancer awareness; to state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment; to the latest word on the newest skin cancer research and treatment therapies…We’re here, all across the Sunshine State, to unite and work with all Floridians in the fight against skin cancer.