Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma on lower lip

Bae, Yong Chan; Kim, Sung Ho; Hwang, So Min; Kim, Sung Soo

Abstract

The squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer of lower lip. Although various treatment methods have been introduced, surgical resection and reconstruction is considered to be the most important medical remedy. We surveyed 11 patients who received the surgery for squamous cell carcinoma on lower lip from January 1992 to December 1997. The survey included the size and location of tumor mass, the presence of lymph node metastasis for a preoperative evaluation, the aesthetic and the performance of lower lip after the operation, the recurrence rate, the complication and the mortality rate. In resectioning tunmor mass, the surgery has to completely remove the mass and meanwhile has to minimize the loss of normal tissues. Also in reconstruction of lower lip, it has to resemble, aesthetically and functionally, the normal lower lip as well. To achieve such s, the pre-excisional frozen biopsy was performed to determine the surgical margins and various reconstructive methods were tried according to the location and size of the defect remained in the lower lip. In the most of clinical cases, appropriate vermillion and nasolabial sulcus were fashioned and they functioned normally in both speech and mastication. As for complications, each case of drooling and macrostomia were reported, There was no mortality from lower lip carcinoma and its recurrence. Due to determination of the safe surgical margin by pre-excisional frozen biopsy and reconstruction by appropriate procedure according to the location and the size of defect, the survey indicates minimized postoperative complications, no recurrence and no mortality as well as aesthetically and functionally adequate lower lip