Natural history of a squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.

UNLABELLED: Natural history of a squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.

OBJECTIVE

In lip cancer cases without significant co-morbidities, curative treatment is preferable to palliative; although, the patient may refuse care. This case report describes the natural progression of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lower lip.

CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old, non-smoker, male farmer had a lesion on his left lower lip that was clinically and histological proven to be a T₁N₀Mx SCC. During the first consultation, no cervical lymph nodes were palpated. Initially, the patient himself treated the SCC with udder ointment. Three years later, he had difficulties eating solid food and his meals consisted mainly of liquid nutrients. The lesion initially progressed slowly, but grew fast after 3 years and Even in this mutilating stage, the patient refused treatment.

CONCLUSION

Despite the tumor stage and co-morbidities, the patient makes the treatment decisions; therefore, the implications of these decisions must be discussed.