Dental And Oral Disorders Chapter 105. Carcinoma of the upper lip tends to be more aggressive. Treatment is surgical excision. When large areas of the lip exhibit premalignant change, the lip can be surgically shaved, or a laser can be used to remove all affected mucosa. Thereafter, sunscreen application is recommended, and tobacco use must cease.
Treatment consists primarily of radiation therapy.
The effect seems to be synergistic when tobacco and alcohol are used. Removing risk factors is critical for preventing recurrence. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue may also result from Plummer-Vinson syndrome, syphilis, or chronic trauma. Oral lesions may appear in areas of erythroplakia or leukoplakia and may be exophytic or ulcerated. Both variants are indurated and firm with a rolled border and warrant biopsy, particularly where speckled.