Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip: survival analysis with long-term follow-up

The first aim of this study was to evaluate the survival of the patients who underwent surgery due to lip squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Furthermore, the predictive value of the prognostic factors regarding overall outcome was also assessed. The secondary objective was to justify the need of a prophylactic neck dissection according to the tumor size. One hundred and one cases with lip SCC were included in this study. The data regarding prognostic factors and survival were retrospectively collected. The 5-year survival rate was found to be 82.1%. Among the multiple prognostic factors, only age and disease stage had significant impact on survival (p < 0.05). Lymph nodes were positive in two (3.0%) T1, 3 (11.5%) T2, one (16.6%) T3 and 3 (100%) T4 patients. In Turkish population, the 5-year survival rate was found to be 82.1%. Age and disease stage were independent factors which have significant impact on survival. In geriatric population, the 5-year survival rate was 69.6%. There was an increased prevalence of the disease among women in the geriatric population. We suggest elective neck dissection and aggressive treatment for T2 tumors especially if the patient has multiple risk factors such as high tumor thickness and poor prognostic indicators such as increased age.