Abstract

AbstractSquamous cell carcinoma of the lip occurs most often in middle-aged white men. Etiologic factors include smoking and sun exposure. The lesion is usually located on the vermilion border of the lower lip and, because of this conspicuous location, is discovered early. Basal cell carcinomas predominate on the skin of the upper lip. Surgical resection and primary reconstruction, used in 109 of our 151 cases, consisted of vermilionectomy or wedge resection for small rumors. Larger lesions require wide resection and reconstruction by Abbe-Estlander flaps or nasolabial flaps. Cervical metastasis requires radical neck dissection. Mandibular involvement requires segmental mandibulectomy. Local recurrences (overall 20%) were attributed to inadequate surgical margins. We believe that recurrences can be reduced by using routine frozen sections on the operative margins and taking advantage of some of the newer reconstructive technics.