Abstract

"Background: The most common type of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for approximately 90% of all oral malignancies. Therefore the oral cancer problem primarily concerns the diagnosis, biology and management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, there are red and white lesions, that are considered premalignant, since they may unpredictably transform into cancer. According to WHO, leukoplakia, eritroplakia and actinic cheilitis are considered precancerous lesions which pathologically may correspond to intraepithelial dysplasia, hyperkeratosis, carcinoma in situ or SCC. Aim: To study the clinical and pathological features of lip cancer and premalignant lip lesions. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of 232 cases with lip lesions. The frequency, location, gender, age and pathological diagnosis of the lesions were recorded. Results: One hundred fifty four lesions were observed in men and 78 in women, 92% of lesions were located in the lower lip. Seventy two of the 232 lesions were SCC and 72% of these carcinomas were well differentiated. The age of patients with cancer was higher than that of patients with precancerous lesions. Conclusions: The difference in age between patients with cancer and precancerous lesions, reinforces the existing knowledge that precancerous lesions may transform into cancer if they are not properly diagnosed and treated (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 60-6)"