Carcinoma of the lip.

We reviewed 250 patients with carcinoma of the lip who were treated with radiation therapy during a 30-year period. Although radiation techniques underwent continued refinement, the radiation dose delivered to the tumor remained relatively constant. Nearly all tumors were squamous cell carcinoma (247/250) and located on the lower lip (240/250). Only 9% initially manifested lymph node metastases. The median survival was 13.8 years. Treatment failure occurred in 11% of patients. Surgery salvaged half of these patients. Eighteen patients died from carcinoma of the lip, and six others had persistent tumor when last seen. Our experience would support the work of others. Early lesions can be successfully managed by either surgical or radiation treatment. The intermediate tumors and those near the commissure are better handled by radiation. Late lesions and those with lymph node metastases challenge the best surgical and radiation techniques.