Lip cancer: How to recognize and respond to the “dead knot” on the lips?

Lip cancer, a subtype of oral cancer, usually originates in the skin or mucous membranes of the upper or lower lip. This cancer is closely related to UV exposure, smoking, drinking and poor living habits. Because the lips are constantly exposed and vulnerable to external environmental factors such as UV, wind, cold and so forth, early symptoms of cancer in the lips tend to be more hidden, but are more likely to be cured if detected and treated in a timely manner. This paper will help you to understand the risks, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of lip cancer, so that you can better protect your lips.I. What is lip cancer? Lip cancer refers to malignant tumours occurring on the lips (top or lower lips). Most lip cancer originates from the skin of the lip, which is a paralytic cell cancer. Spectrum cell cancer is a malignant tumour that is abnormally increased and transformed from skin or mucous skin cells to cancer cells. The early stages of lip cancer are usually not easy to detect, but once the tumor expands to deep tissues or lymphoma knots, it can rapidly deteriorate, affecting swallowing, speaking and even breathing.The occurrence of common risk factors for lip cancer is closely related to:Ultraviolet exposure: Ultraviolet radiation is the leading cause of lip cancer when exposed to sunlight for long periods, especially in the absence of sunproof measures. Ultraviolet rays can directly damage the DNA of skin cells and cause cancer. Common high-risk groups include people who work or operate for extended periods of time, such as fishermen, farmers, etc.Smoking and drinking: Smoking and overdrinking are the main causes of oral and lip cancer. Carcinogenic substances in tobacco and long-term alcohol-to-mouth and lip cell irritation have significantly increased the incidence of lip cancer. In particular, people who smoke and drink at the same time are at higher risk of lip cancer.Chronic lip irritation: Long-term irritation, such as chronic lip trauma and sharp edges of teeth, may also increase the risk of lip cancer. Particular attention should be paid to groups with oral ulcer, lip pathologies and even scars.The immune system has been damaged: some individuals with impaired immune systems, such as people living with AIDS or receiving immunosuppressive treatment, also have a higher incidence of lip cancer.Genetic factors: There is also an increased risk of lip cancer among members of certain families with a history of lip or skin cancer.Third, early symptoms of lip cancer are often hidden and easily ignored. Common early symptoms include:Lip ulcer: The persistent ulcer or plaster in the lip is a common early manifestation of lip cancer. Unlike a common mouth ulcer, the ulcer of the lips often lasts for weeks or months and is not easily healed.Lip knots or swellings: Early lip cancer may be manifested in hard or swellings under the lip skin or on the mucous membranes, which may be pain-free or may be accompanied by some pain.Lip hemorrhage: If an ulcer or swelling breaks, it may lead to a lip hemorrhage or seepage, even if it is self-inflicted by an invisible external force.Changes in the colour of the lips: The colour of the lips may change, become abnormally pale, red or plaque. The color imbalance could be a sign of cancer.The difficulty of swallowing: When cancer extends to deep lips or affects the structure of the mouth and throat, the patient may feel uncomfortable or difficult to swallow.Pain: Although lip cancer may not cause visible pain at an early stage, as the tumour expands, the patient may feel lip pain, especially when eating, speaking or emoticon.IV. How can lip cancer be diagnosed? The diagnosis of lip cancer is usually carried out by:Clinical examination: The doctor will ask for details of the patient ‘ s medical history and check if there are unknown hard blocks, ulcer or colour changes on the lips.Visibility: When a doctor detects a suspicious disease, a small tissue is examined to determine if it is carcinogenic.Visual screening: If it is suspected that cancer has been extended to the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes, doctors may recommend a visual examination such as X-ray, CT scan or MRI to assess the extent of cancer.lymph nodes: Since lip cancer may be transferred through the lymph system, doctors may examine lymph nodes in the neck to determine if there is a cancer cell transfer.The treatment of lip cancer depends mainly on the type, size, location and transfer of the cancer. Common treatment methods include:Surgery: The most common treatment for early lip cancer is surgical excision. The doctor removes the tumor and part of the health tissue around it and ensures that cancer cells are completely eliminated.Demobilisation: Radiotherapy is usually used for local treatments, especially for tumours that cannot be fully removed from some operations, or as post-operative support to prevent the recurrence of cancer.chemotherapy: For late-stage or spread to other areas, chemotherapy can be used to reduce tumors or to control the spread of cancer cells.Target treatment and immunotherapy: Target therapy and immunotherapy are being studied and applied for certain specific types of lip cancer and can provide effective treatment programmes.VI. How to prevent lip cancer? Prevention measures for lip cancer include:Avoid ultraviolet exposure: especially during the strongest periods of sunlight, and avoid long periods of exposure to sunlight. Use sunscreens with high SPF, suncaps and sunglasses to reduce UV damage to lips.Prohibition of smoking and overdrinking is an important contributing factor to lip cancer, and reducing smoking and alcohol consumption, in particular, will significantly reduce the risk of lip cancer.Maintenance of good oral hygiene: regular brushing of teeth, cleaning of mouths and avoidance of prolonged oral infections, especially in the event of trauma or ulcer, keeping lips clean and healthy.Periodic examinations: Periodic oral examinations, especially for high-risk groups such as smokers and those exposed to long-term UV exposure, should be conducted as soon as possible.VII. Summarizing lip cancer is a more common case of oral malignant tumours, especially in groups exposed to UV, smoking and drinking. By understanding the early symptoms of lip cancer, maintaining good living habits and regular examinations, we can detect and treat cancer in the lips in a timely manner, thus increasing the cure rate and avoiding further disease. Early prevention and treatment not only protect the health of our lips, but also significantly improve the quality of life. Keep your eyes open, keep your eyes open, keep your mouth and lips healthy!