Symptoms of Lip Cancer

Lip cancer is a type of oral (mouth) cancer that occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the lips. Symptoms are similar to less serious conditions such as cold sores or chapped lips so they are often overlooked. Sun exposure and tobacco use are two of the most common risk factors for lip cancer.

Because symptoms of lip cancer are in a visible area, they are usually caught early. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to catch signs of this disease. As a result, treatment is often successful. 

According to the American Cancer Society, when lip cancer is caught before it has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized), the five-year survival rate is 93 percent.

This article reviews common lip cancer symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and when to see a healthcare provider.

Common Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of lip cancer can be quite obvious. However, they can easily be mistaken for another concern, such as a cold sore or chapped lips. The most common symptoms include:

• An open sore, lesion, or ulcer on the lip that will not heal
• Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lip area
• A lump, wart-like growth, or thickened area on the lips
• White or red patches on the lips
• Pale area of the lip that looks like a scar
• Crusty or itchy patch on the lip
  

During the initial stages of lip cancer, symptoms may be minor and include a slightly raised or discolored area. As lip cancer progresses, sores develop and become more persistent, bigger, and more painful. A lump in the neck or swollen lymph nodes is seen in up to 15% of later stages of lip cancer.

Risk Factors

Knowing common risk factors can help you be on the lookout for any suspicious findings on your lips. Risk factors of lip cancer include:

• Sun exposure: Over 90% of lip cancers are on the lower lip. This is most likely due to a higher level of sun exposure. It's also interesting to note that 30% of patients with lip cancer have outdoor occupations.
• Alcohol and tobacco use: Using both alcohol and tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes) will dramatically increase your risk of lip cancer. You can decrease your risk by kicking your tobacco habit and reducing alcohol intake if excessive.
• Age and gender: Lip cancer is most common in men who are over 45 years old and smoke. However, there has been an increase in female cases over the last several years.
• Medical history: Those with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) (especially HPV type 16 and 18) are at increased risk for lip cancer.
• Trauma to lips: Repeated injury to the lip with a toothpick, pen, or from chewing can act as a trigger for lip cancer.

Diagnosis

If you have a visible sore or lesion, your healthcare provider will visually examine it. They will ask you questions about how long you have had it, if it has worsened, and if you suspect anything has caused it.

Ultimately, only a biopsy can rule out lip cancer. You may receive a referral to an ear-nose-throat practitioner for this procedure. Under local anesthesia, the medical professional can biopsy the area in-office. Pain is minimal and usually subsides in one to two days. 

Advanced or complex cases may require general anesthesia or sedation. Children who need biopsies may also be given general anesthesia for their safety during the procedure.

Differential Diagnoses

There are many common causes of lip sores, such as eating new foods, biting your lip, or taking some medications.

In addition, unrelated conditions such as cold sores, canker sores, and herpes may cause lip ulcers and can develop at any time of life.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease can also cause lip sores; it occurs most often in children under five, though it can affect older individuals.

When examining you, your healthcare provider will work to rule out these concerns before diagnosing lip cancer.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

If you have a sore, lump, crusting, thickening, discoloration, or any other suspicious findings on your lip that don't go away after a couple of weeks, it's best to see a healthcare provider. If you have one of the known risk factors, be extra vigilant about seeing a healthcare provider if symptoms arise.

It's also important to keep up with your dental exams and cleaning. Your dental team can help monitor for signs and symptoms and good oral hygiene reduces the risk of lip cancer.

Summary

Lip cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Knowing risk factors and symptoms can help you know when to see a healthcare provider.

Common symptoms of lip cancer include sores, lumps, bleeding, discretion, crusty patches, and more. The most common risk factors are sun exposure and tobacco use.

Lip cancer symptoms are often overlooked because they mimic less serious conditions. If you have symptoms that don't resolve within a couple of weeks, especially if you have known risk factors, see a healthcare or dental provider as soon as possible.

A Word From Verywell

As with any condition, early detection is key. It is important to see your healthcare provider if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Treatment for lip cancer is similar to other oral cancer types.

Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are the most common treatment options. But remember to take this process one step at a time. While symptoms could mean lip cancer, they very well could be due to something far less concerning. Only a practitioner can tell you that.