Cheilitis Glandularis: A clinicopathologic study with emphasis on etiopathogenesis

Cheilitis Glandularis (CG) is an uncommon entity of obscure etiology. A cases series is presented with emphasis on etiopathogenesis.

Fourteen CG cases were analyzed according to their demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics.

The mean age of the patients with CG was 68.1 years, while a male-to-female ratio of 1.8:1 was observed. One or more potential causative factors were identified for each patient, including long-term smoking (9 cases), xerostomia (4 cases), cosmetic filler injections (2 cases), and actinic cheilitis (1 case). The lesions were located on the lips, buccal mucosa, or both in 7, 2, and 5 cases, respectively. Multiple submucosal nodules with dilated ductal orifices and mucous or purulent discharge were observed in all cases. Histopathologically, ductal ectasia with metaplasia, intraductal mucin, and chronic or mixed inflammation were noted, as well as pools of hyaluronic acid in 2 cases with a history of cosmetic filler injections.

CG etiopathogenesis is probably multifactorial. Reduced salivary flow rate and increased viscosity of saliva, potentially caused by long-term smoking, diabetes mellitus, and drug-induced xerostomia, may participate in the initial pathogenesis, while local irritants, for example, poor oral hygiene and local trauma, may further contribute to the development and aggravation of the condition.