Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (also called lip SCC or lip cancer) is a type of skin cancer that starts in the flat, scale-like cells that line the surface of the lips. It most often develops on the lower lip, which gets more sun exposure than the upper lip. This cancer is considered a form of head and neck cancer and is related to oral cavity cancers. It is classified as a rare disease but is one of the more common cancers affecting the lip area. The cancer usually begins as a small, painless sore, rough patch, or thickened area on the lip that does not heal. Over time, it can grow deeper into the lip tissue, spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck, and in advanced cases reach other parts of the body. Risk factors include long-term sun exposure, tobacco use (smoking or chewing), heavy alcohol use, infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), and having a weakened immune system. Treatment depends on how large the tumor is and whether it has spread. The main treatments are surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, or a combination of both. For cancers that have spread, chemotherapy or targeted drug therapy may be added. When caught early, this cancer is very treatable and most people do well. Regular follow-up care is important because there is a chance the cancer can come back or a new cancer can develop nearby.
Key symptoms:
A sore or ulcer on the lip that does not healA rough, scaly, or thickened patch on the lipA lump or bump on the lipBleeding or crusting on the lipNumbness or tingling of the lipPain or tenderness in the lip areaSwollen lymph nodes in the neckA white or red patch on the lip (called leukoplakia or erythroplakia)Changes in the color or texture of the lip skinDifficulty moving the lip normallyA persistent feeling that something is stuck on the lip
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip at this time.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my lip cancer and has it spread anywhere?,What are my treatment options and which do you recommend for my situation?,Will surgery affect how my lip looks or works, and is reconstructive surgery an option?,What is the chance the cancer will come back, and how will we monitor for that?,Should I be tested for HPV or any inherited condition that may have contributed to this cancer?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What sun protection steps should I take going forward to lower my risk of a new cancer?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (also called lip SCC or lip cancer) is a type of skin cancer that starts in the flat, scale-like cells that line the surface of the lips. It most often develops on the lower lip, which gets more sun exposure than the upper lip. This cancer is considered a form of head and neck cancer and is related to oral cavity cancers. It is classified as a rare disease but is one of the more common cancers affecting the lip area. The cancer usually begins as a small, painless sore, rough patch, or thickened area on the lip that does not heal. Over time, it can grow deepe
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.