Lip Cancer

The lips are among the most visible parts of the face, and they are also indispensable for speech, eating and facial expression. Lip cancer is a head and neck cancer that most often arises on the red part of the lip (vermilion) and is closely linked to long-term sun exposure and tobacco use. Because tumours on the lip are easy to see, they are usually noticed early; a lip cancer that is found early can often be treated with a smaller operation while largely preserving the appearance of the lip.

The pages in this section cover lip cancer from beginning to end: what the cancer is and why it develops, early signs such as a sore that does not heal or crusting, the examination and biopsy used for diagnosis, the types and stages of the cancer, how surgical treatment is planned, and how the lip tissue is repaired after surgery. The final page describes the recovery period after treatment, what to expect regarding eating and speech, and long-term follow-up.

The aim is to explain, calmly and in plain language, which steps lie ahead when you notice a change on your lip. What you read here is general information; decisions about your own situation are made together with you, and only after examination and tests.