Lip lesions in Nigerian Igbos.

Lesions of the lip seen over a 7-year period at a central laboratory serving the Igbos of Nigeria are reviewed. In approximately 8,500 surgical specimens, there were 63 jaw tumors but only 16 lip lesions. Two of lip lesions alone were carcinomas. Both were (a) squamous celled, (b) associated with sunlight-induced degeneration of the dermal collagen, and (c) found in young adult albinos. Accordingly, albinism should be recognized as one of the etiologic factors in lip cancer. The appropriate preventive action is the wearing of wide-brim hats by albinos.