J.G.A.M. de Visscher

Etiology of cancer of the lip: A review

A range of environmental and host factors has been identified to explain the etiopathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. However, the definitive pathogenic pathway remains unclear. Carcinogenesis does not seem to be limited to a single agent, but rather to a complex multistep process of interactions between putative risk factors. In this paper, the currently available data regarding risk factors, considered to be causally related to the onset of lip cancer, are reviewed.

Results of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the vermilion border of the lower lip. A retrospective analysis of 108 patients

The authors analyzed the clinical history, tumor histology and stage, and outcome of a group of 108 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vermilion border of the lower lip who underwent radiation therapy in the period between 1980 and 1992. The median follow-up was 77 months. The disease stages were T1 in 89 (82.4%), T2 in 17 (15.7%), and T3 in 2 cases (1.9%). At presentation, regional lymph nodes were clinically negative in all but 3 patients. The total tumor dose varied from 48 Gy to 70 Gy, depending on the radiation modality (orthovoltage, electrons, photontherapy and iridium implants). Local control was achieved in 88 out of 89 (98.9%) patients with T1, in 13 out of 17 (76.5%) patients with T2 and in both patients with T3 tumors. Local treatment failures (4.6%) were cured by salvage surgery. During follow-up, regional lymph node metastases at level I (submental and submandibular groups) occurred in 11 out of 89 (12.4%) patients with stage I and in I out of 15 (6.7%) patients with stage II tumors. All these patients underwent therapeutic neck dissection, followed by radiotherapy in 8 cases. Two patients developed distant metastases. Thus, after salvage treatment of local failures and regional metastases the total group of patients with stage I and II SCCs of the vermilion border of the lower lip showed a definitive control rate of 98.1%.

Epidemiology of cancer of the lip in the Netherlands

Descriptive epidemiological data of new cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the vermilion border of the lip in the Netherlands from 1989-94 inclusive are presented. Lip cancer represented 0.47 and 0.09% of all new malignancies in males and females, respectively. The lower lip was the most frequently affected site. The majority of the lip cancers were diagnosed in tumour stage I. The median age at diagnosis in males was 68 years, 5 years less than in females. The overall male-to-female ratio was 5.7. Age-adjusted incidence rates in males and females were 2.2 and 0.3 per 100,000 (ESR), respectively. The cumulative lifetime risk for developing lip cancer was 0.15 for males and 0.03 for females. Mortality/incidence ratios in males and females were 0.05 and 0.07, respectively. Differences in lip cancer incidence were observed between an urban and a rural area. There was a positive association between the occurrence of lip cancer and rural residence; rate ratios were 3.3 among males and 3.5 among females.

Performance of 18F-FDG PET/contrast-enhanced CT in the staging of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of integrated whole body positron emission tomography/contrast-enhanced CT (PET/CECT) as a one step examination in the initial staging of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC). Seventy three consecutive OOSCC patients who underwent PET/CECT for initial staging and tumour resection and neck dissection as primary treatment, were included. For each PET/CECT result, the contribution of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG)-uptake and radiologic criteria was assessed. PET/CECT results were correlated to histological specimens obtained with tumour resection and neck dissection. For detecting the primary tumour PET/CECT showed a sensitivity of 96% and for detecting cervical metastases a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 81%, respectively. In the clinically N0 subgroup (n=37), PET/CECT showed a sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 81%, respectively. In five of six patients PET/CECT detected a second primary tumour. The results show that the use of diagnostic PET/CECT as a one step examination is a reliable alternative for PET/CT in combination with a separate diagnostic CT in patients with OOSC for initial staging. The need for treatment of the neck in the clinically negative neck should not be based on PET/CECT results only, due to the risk of missing a small metastasis.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip in renal-transplant recipients : Report of six cases

The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip in immunosuppressed renal-transplant recipients is considerably higher than in the normal population. In addition to immunosuppressive treatment, the most important risk factors for the development of lip cancer in these patients are exposure to sunlight and smoking habits. Regular surveillance of renal-transplant recipients and early biopsy of premalignant lesions of the lip allow early detection of lip cancer. Patients should also be advised to avoid unprotected exposure to sunlight, to use appropriate sunscreens and to stop smoking. Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip in renal-transplant recipients are described.

Relationship of tumor thickness in punch biopsy and subsequent surgical specimens in stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip

OBJECTIVEnAmong the histologic features of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip, maximum tumor thickness in particular is a predictor of regional nodal metastatic spread and thus an important parameter in treatment planning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between maximum tumor thickness in punch biopsies and maximum tumor thickness in subsequent surgical specimens.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnThis retrospective study examined the relationship between maximum tumor thickness in punch biopsies with that in subsequent surgical specimens obtained in 72 patients with clinical stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.nnnRESULTSnA correlation between maximum tumor thickness in punch biopies and in subsequent surgical specimens was found only for tumors with a thickness less than 3 mm.nnnCONCLUSIONSnReliable predictive information could be obtained from punch biopsies with a maximum tumor thickness less than 3 mm. When the maximum tumor thickness exceeds 3 mm, better information may be obtained from either a large incisional biopsy or the surgical specimen.

Giant keratoacanthoma of the lower lip: Report of a case of spontaneous regression

The case of a 46-year-old man who refused treatment of a giant keratoacanthoma of the lower lip is presented. Complete regression took place within 10 months. The dilemma of a lesion of the vermilion border of the lower lip being either a (giant) keratoacanthoma or a squamous cell carcinoma is discussed with respect to the management of such lesions.

Oncologic aspects of vermilionectomy in microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip

Twelve patients with microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip were studied in order to determine whether vermilionectomy was justifiable. The maximum tumor thickness (MTT) varied between 1.1 and 3.1 mm. In none of the patients was there local recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 4.4 years (range 4-8). In view of these results and of what has been reported in the literature, it seems warranted to conclude that vermilionectomy is an appropriate procedure in microinvasive carcinoma of the lower lip with a MTT of up to 3 mm.

Risk of second primary cancer following treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip

The risk of second primary cancers (excluding skin cancers) was evaluated among 56 patients who underwent treatment for a squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip. The mean follow-up was 5.5 years. Ten patients (17.8%) developed at least one new primary cancer. The prevalence of second primary cancers within the respiratory and upper digestive tract, and elsewhere in the body, was 19.4 and 12.9 per 1000 person-years of follow-up, respectively. Patients were at risk for a second primary cancer at a steady rate of 2.7% per year during at least 5 years.

Surgical treatment of proptosis bulbi by three-wall orbital decompression☆

PURPOSEnThree-wall orbital decompression was tested using a coronal approach as a technique.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnThree-wall orbital decompression by a coronal approach was performed in three patients with proptosis due to Graves ophthalmopathy, in six patients with Graves ophthalmopathy because their vision was threatened due to optic nerve compression, and in one patient with exorbitism due to Crouzons syndrome for cosmetic rehabilitation.nnnRESULTSnProptosis reduction averaged 4.7 mm. The technique provides good access to the orbital walls, facilitating adequate proptosis reduction, and leaves no visible scar. Diplopia, present preoperatively in four patients, was improved in three patients and unchanged in one. There was no loss of visual acuity.