Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lip

Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip is a common lesion that is not always acknowledged as a potentially lethal disease. We reviewed the cases of 27 patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. Our data confirm that patients in an older age group are at greater risk for development of metastases than the general population of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. We also found a universally grave prognosis for patients who exhibit fixation of tumor to the mandible or erosion of the mandible. We were unable to confirm a greater risk for development of metastases among more advanced (T3 and T4) lesions. A number of our patients had T1 and T2 primary lesions. We also could not establish a relationship between a patient's delay before seeking medical assistance and subsequent development of metastases.