Surgical treatment of Malignant Tumors on the Lip and Vermilion border

Lee, Seung Chul; Kim, Hun Hee; Kim, Seong Jin; Won, Young Ho

Abstract

Treatment of tumors on the lip often present special difficulties in selecting the appropriate modality of treatment that will provide the patient with the best cosmetic result. The complex functions and contours of the lip, the many small cosmetic subunits and the limited availability of adjacent skin make the preservation of function and appearance difficult. Five cases comprised of 4 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of basal cell carcinoma on the lip, particulary involved in the vermilion border. Five cases of malignant tumors were removed by total excision, followed by reconstructive surgery, such as A-T advancement flap, and advancernent flap after fusiform excision with angles greater than 30o (i.e., 60o), W-plasty, bilateral opposing advancement flap. We can treat malignant tumors on the lip involved upto one half of the total length by simple excision followed by reconstructive surgery under local anesthesia without great hazards. In our experience, surgical treatment is one of the best treatments for malignant tumors.