Treatment of lower lip cancer: an experience of 48 cases

Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Response in Lip Cancer

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a significant role in cancer progression and prognosis of patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) may affect the anti-tumor immune response. We examined the TIL and tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) density in the invading front and inner tumor stroma, and the lymphocyte subpopulation (CD8, CD4, FOXP3) density in 60 squamous cell carcinomas of the lip. Analysis was performed in parallel with markers of hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1α), lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA)) and angiogenesis. Low TIL density in the invading tumor front was related with larger tumor size (p = 0.05), deep invasion (p = 0.01), high smooth-muscle actin (SMA) expression (p = 0.01), and high HIF1α and LDH5 expression (p = 0.04). FOXP3⁺ TILs infiltration and FOXP3⁺/CD8⁺ ratios were higher in inner tumor areas, linked with LDH5 expression, and higher MIB1 proliferation index (p = 0.03) and SMA expression (p = 0.001). Dense CD4⁺ lymphocytic infiltration in the invading front is related to high tumor-budding (TB) (p = 0.04) and angiogenesis (p = 0.04 and p = 0.006, respectively). Low CD8⁺ TIL density, high CD20⁺ B-cell density, high FOXP3⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and high CD68⁺ macrophage presence characterized tumors with local invasion (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). High angiogenic activity was linked with high CD4⁺, FOXP3⁺, and low CD8⁺ TIL density (p = 0.05, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively), as well as high CD68⁺ macrophage presence (p = 0.003). LDH5 expression was linked with high CD4⁺ and FOXP3⁺ TIL density (p = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Further research is needed to explore the prognostic and therapeutic value of TME/TIL interactions.

Distant metastasis from oral cancer: A review and molecular biologic aspects

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been estimated to be the sixth most common cancer worldwide. The distant metastasis plays a critical role in the management and prognosis in oral cancer patients. Regarding the distant metastasis from the oral cancer, the hypopharynx is the most common primary site, followed by the base of tongue and anterior tongue. The present review article analyzes the characteristics of the distant metastases from the oral cavity from 1937 to 2015.

Modified Bilateral Neurovascular Cheek Flap: Functional Reconstruction of Extensive Lower Lip Defects

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of extensive lower lip defects is challenging, and functional outcomes are difficult to achieve.

METHODS

A modified bilateral neurovascular cheek (MBNC) flap has been described. The data of patients with cancer of the lower lip treated with wide excision and reconstructed with the MBNC flap in the Plastic Surgery Unit, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, from 1966 to 2012 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the total of 143 patients included, 90.91% were women, and their age ranged from 32 to 100 years. All defects involved 70% or greater of the lower lip, which included oral commissure, buccal mucosa, or cheek skin and upper lip. All 20 patients who were followed up demonstrated good outcomes of intercommissural distance, interlabial distance, sulcus depth, and 2-point discrimination compared with normal lip parameters according to age group and satisfaction with treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstruction of extensive lower lip defects with the MBNC flap provided good oral competence and functional outcomes. The flap provided adequate lip height and width, with proper position of oral commissure and vermilion reconstruction. The awareness about neurovascular anatomy of the lip and cheek and gentle dissection preserve the lip function. The flap overcomes the drawbacks of Karapandzic technique, which is microstomia, and of Bernard technique, which is a tight adynamic lower lip. It can be used in defects of more than two-thirds of the lip, extending to the cheek, commissural reconstruction, and secondary reconstruction.

Lip reconstruction using Karapandzic flap

Reconstruction of the lip may be required after trauma and/or surgical excision of tumor. The lips contribute to form the beginning of the oral cavity, and they are the most common site of oral cancer. Any reconstruction of the lips must include both functional and cosmetic considerations. This case report presents a female patient, aged 22 years old, who was exposed to severe road traffic accident resulting in lower lip loss with both functional and cosmetic disturbances. Surgical reconstruction using Karapandzic flap was carried out at the Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Anbar Province, Iraq. A dynamic reconstruction with remaining lip tissue can provide superior results in terms of lip appearance and function.

Surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip: an experience of 109 cases

Objectives: We are presenting our experience collected from a series of 109 cases with SCC of the lower lip focusing on clinical features of patients and surgical approach. Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the lower lip at the Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at Xi’an Jiaotong University during a period between 1999 and 2008. Results: A total of 109 patients with lip cancer were included in the study. When no frozen-section test was performed, the neoplasia was removed with a margin of at least 6 mm. Different surgical techniques were used for lip reconstruction after tumor excision. Neck dissection was performed in all patients with clinically palpable lymph nodes. Median follow-up was 38 months. During follow-up, recurrence occurred in 5 patients, 3 patients developed neck metastases, distant metastases developed in 1 patient. Five patients died during observation period. Conclusions: The patient-related and defect-related issues must be taken into consideration during reconstruction for surgical defect. For N0 patients, we recommend wait-and-see policy. Early detection, careful follow-up and prompt neck is essential for the successful treatment.

Key words:Lip cancer, surgical management, reconstruction.

Wave technique for treatment of lower lip cancer

PURPOSE

This article reports the authors' experience with treatment of lower lip cancer using the wave technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients (16 males, 5 females) were treated using the wave technique between September 2009 and October 2010. Patients undergoing the procedure had tumors that were classified as either T1N0M0 or T2N0M0. Lateral defects less than 2 cm in size are generally treated with unilateral flaps, and median defects are closed with bilateral symmetric flaps. If the defect is paramedian and greater than 2 cm in width, two asymmetric flaps are used.

RESULTS

No recurrence was observed during a 6- to 32 months follow-up (mean 19 months). All patients showed excellent esthetic results with no microstomia.

CONCLUSIONS

We modified the straight lines of the staircase technique into round lines of the wave technique, resulting in an esthetic improvement. The goal of the broken lines and round lines is to create less visible scars. The wave technique can be used to close defects of up to two-thirds of the lower lip.

Lip reconstruction

Lip reconstruction poses a particular challenge to the plastic surgeon in that the lips are the dynamic center of the lower third of the face. Their role in aesthetic balance, facial expression, speech, and deglutination is not replicated by any other tissue substitute. The goals of lip reconstruction are both functional and aesthetic, and the surgical techniques employed are often overlapping. This discussion will focus on lip defects with significant tissue loss that require flap reconstruction. Flaps described include Webster-Bernard cheek advancement flaps, Abbe cross-lip flaps, Karapandzic rotation advancement flaps, and single and dual free-flap lip reconstructions. The principles and techniques described are broadly applicable to other flap designs that are required to meet both the aesthetic and functional goals of lip reconstruction.

[Structures of lip reconstruction]

Although the incidence of tumors of the lips is low, they are the most common oral tumors and their therapy is often challenging for the surgeon. Depending on the extent of resected lip tissue, various surgical procedures are performed for reconstruction. They all follow the goal to combine complete tumor resection with maximal functional and aesthetic restoration. Surgical procedures are classified regarding the direction of tissue mobilization into one-, two- and three-dimensional techniques. Even though more than two hundred different techniques have been described, only a small number are used on a regular basis. To select the appropriate procedure for the individual patient the exact anatomic location and size of the defect have to be taken into consideration. Treatment algorithms may guide the surgeon to a suitable reconstructive procedure for each case. Complications may occur more often due to the size and the site of the procedure. Final functional and aesthetic results are usually satisfying.

Altered β-catenin expression related to cancer progression on actinic cheilitis and squamous cell carcinoma of the lip

β-Catenin is a bifunctional protein related to cell adhesion and gene transcription when activated by Wnt pathway. Altered expression of β-catenin was related to loss of differentiation, more aggressive phenotype, increase of tumor invasion, and poor prognosis in a number of different cancers. Actinic cheilitis is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation and has a high potential to suffer malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip, the most frequent oral malignancy. Studies of oral cancer have shown the correlation of β-catenin expression and oral SCC prognosis, and loss of membrane expression may be considered as a potential marker for early tumor recurrence. Thirty-five cases of actinic cheilitis and 12 cases of SCC of the lip were select and submitted to immunohistochemical staining using β-catenin antibody. β-Catenin was positive on the membrane for all cases. Eighty-five percent of actinic cheilitis cases showed cytoplasmatic staining, and 22% nuclear staining. Eighty-three percent of SCC was positive for β-catenin, and none of them had nuclear staining. Cytoplasmatic and nuclear staining of β-catenin on studied cases point to pathway alterations. Results demonstrated that β-catenin expression is altered on epithelial dysplasia, and it is related to degree of alterations.

Reconstruction of the lower lip: Bernard technique and its variants

INTRODUCTION

Surgical treatment of epidermoid carcinoma of the lower lip occasionally involves resection of a large part of this anatomic area. Several techniques are available for its repair, including Bernard's technique. Since its first description in 1853, this technique has incorporated several small modifications, which we discuss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report our experience with nine patients who underwent resection of more than one-third of the lower lip due to epidermoid carcinoma, for the reconstruction of which we used four variants of Bernard's cheiloplasty, some already described and others original.

RESULTS

The tumor was fully excised in all patients with a good functional and aesthetic result for the type of technique used. No patient had postsurgical complications or local relapse, and one patient developed lymph node metastasis in the cervical chain.

CONCLUSIONS

Bernard's cheiloplasty is a technique that, although quite complicated, is very useful for the reconstruction of lower lip losses greater than one-third of the overall size of the lower lip. The results provide for a good functionality of the lip and a satisfactory aesthetic aspect.

Reconstruction of the lower lip: rationale to preserve the aesthetic units of the face

BACKGROUND

The boundaries of the aesthetic units of the face are often crossed after lower lip cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the aesthetic and functional outcome after use of different operative techniques based on the concept of the aesthetic units of the face.

MATERIALS

Sixty-three patients were evaluated after lower lip reconstruction. The aesthetic outcome was recorded by standard photography evaluating the disruption of the boundaries of the aesthetic units of the face, lip projection, and the resulting facial expression. The functional outcome consisted of the evaluation of mouth opening, pouting, and lips at rest for the evaluation of mouth continence. Three techniques were used: wedge excision, the Webster-Fries method, and the step technique. The step technique was combined with an Abbé or an Estlander flap in defects involving more than two-thirds of the lip.

RESULTS

In defects involving up to one-third of the lip, the aesthetic outcome was better for the step technique than for wedge excision (a statistical trend was observed, p = 0.088). In defects involving two-thirds of the lip, the aesthetic and functional outcome was better using the step technique than the Webster-Fries method (p = 0.002), because the boundaries of the aesthetic units are respected. In defects involving more than two-thirds of the lip, the result was better using the step technique combined with the Abbé flap.

CONCLUSION

The authors have shown that the step technique alone or combined with a flap of the opposite lip is a rational approach for preserving the aesthetic units of the face and its function.

Distant bone metastases from carcinoma of the lip: a report of four cases

The lip is estimated to be the most frequent location for carcinoma of the oral cavity. It occurs more frequently in men, especially those with a history of exposure to sunlight. Despite the usually effective management, regional and occasionally distant metastases do occur, especially in advanced stages. In this retrospective analysis of patients with labial carcinoma presenting with distant bone metastases in 1995-2003, the extremely limited number of patients did not allow for multivariate data analysis. From a cohort of 415 patients presenting with lip lesions, 186 cases were diagnosed as carcinoma and managed accordingly. Four patients (2.14%) showed distant bone metastases, one with concurrent axillary node metastasis. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, case management and survival were evaluated. The distant metastasis patients were of clinical stages II-IV; initial management was wide local excision with reconstruction for all cases, with one undergoing concurrent neck dissection and one adjuvant radiotherapy. Time for distant bone metastasis was 9-21 months, subsequent survival 3-14 months and overall survival 13-35 months. Distant metastases from labial carcinoma are rare, not exceeding 2%. Metastasis to bone and axillary lymph nodes is exceptionally rare and can be attributed to either inadequate initial management or aggressive tumour behaviour.

[Organ-preserving treatment in inoperable patients with primary oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma: chances and limitations]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the chances of nonoperative therapy in those patients from an unselected population suffering from primary previously untreated squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and the oropharynx who did not seem to be operable.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Following interdisciplinary counseling and extensive individual discussion, 72 (21%) of 340 consecutive patients (1997-2004) did not or did not reasonably seem to be operable; three other patients with stage II disease refused surgery. Of the inoperable patients, 95%suffered from far-advanced stage IV disease, 8% had distant metastases, 14% had synchronous malignancies, 9% were aged over 85 years combined with advanced malignant disease, and nearly 50% were limited in their activity or were even bedridden. Depending on fitness and tumor extent, three therapy regimens were used: intra-arterial (i.a.) high-dose chemotherapy with systemic antagonization for palliation, induction with this i.a. high-dose chemotherapy followed by additional radiotherapy, and induction with the i.a. high-dose chemotherapy followed by additional radiochemotherapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were treated with i.a. chemotherapy alone for palliation with few acute side effects. The response rate was 34%, and a further growth of the tumour could be inhibited in 49%. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 21 and 14%, respectively. The three patients who refused surgery experienced complete clinical remission and survived 8, 6, and 2 years, respectively, to date. Twenty-three patients were fit enough to receive additional radiotherapy, and 17 an additional radiochemotherapy. Of the patients, 22% had to cut short additional radiotherapy and 47% had to discontinue concomitant chemotherapy. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 41 and 25%, respectively; 14 of these irradiated patients experienced long-lasting complete clinical remission >2 years.

CONCLUSION

About 20% of the patients classified as inoperable could achieve long-lasting remission. Viewed with caution, sex (male), performance state (ECOG) <3, and positive response to i.a. chemotherapy could be regarded as predictors for therapeutic success. The combination of i.a. chemotherapy and radiochemotherapy seemed to be most successful. Conversely, the therapies offered could not achieve a substantial improvement of survival in 80% of patients classified as inoperable; the most successful therapy combination could be offered to merely 23% of patients as classified inoperable due to reduced general condition. The i.a. high-dose chemotherapy has to be regarded as a well tolerated and effective palliation. This descriptive analysis must be followed by specific studies to establish clinical treatment recommendations.

Reconstruction of perioral defects following resection for oral squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to review and describe techniques for the reconstruction of large, complex perioral defects after resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma with emphasis on cosmetic and functional outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A review of techniques and selected case presentations using different flap designs for the reconstruction of large perioral defects following resection of squamous cell carcinoma was performed. The Bernard and Karapandzic flaps were used for large lower lip defects. A Zisser flap technique was used to reconstruct a large commissure defect.

RESULTS

All reconstructed patients had acceptable functional results and healed without complication. The large lower lip defects were easily closed with the Bernard and Karapandzic flaps. The commissure defect was reconstructed using the Zisser technique. While cosmesis was acceptable in all cases, the commissure was the most difficult region to reconstruct with a favorable appearance. There were no flap failures. The Karapandzic flap led to greater rounding of the commissure area and the composite resection resulted in a lack of lower lip support that was improved with prosthesis. Function was noted to be excellent in the Bernard and Karapandzic flaps, with the patients able to purse lips and blow up balloon-type devices.

CONCLUSION

The Bernard, Karapandzic, and Zisser flaps provide a predictable method to reconstruct large perioral defects following resection for oral cancer. Subsequent fabrication of a prosthesis can aid in lip support for the resected area.