Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma of the lips: 25 years of experience in a northeast Brazilian population.

Background: The lips are the transition zone between the facial skin and the oral mucosa and are the site of alterations related to a broad spectrum of etiologies. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are the most prevalent neoplasms affecting lips. This study evaluated the demographic and clinicopathological features of the SCC and BCC in the lip.

Material and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study (1994-2019) was carried out. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were collected from a hospital's dermatological service and an oncologic hospital. The data were submitted to descriptive analysis and Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p ≤ 0.05).

Results: 417 medical records were analyzed, of which 323 corresponded to SCC (77.5%) and 94 to BCC (22.5%). SCC showed more frequency in males (58.8%) and BCC in females (54.3%). The lower lip was significantly affected in male patients (p < 0.0001) and by both neoplasms (70.6% and 56.4%, respectively; p = 0.014). SCC and BCC were mainly treated with surgery (88.3% and 93.2%, respectively). Surgical margin was frequently negative in SCC and BCC (87%; 72.3%, respectively), and no recurrence was observed in 79.9% of SCC and 69.1% of BCC cases.

Conclusions: SCC was more frequent in male patients, while BCC showed more frequency in female patients. Both neoplasms mainly affect the lower lip. Understanding the epidemiological profile of these lesions in the lip, as well as their etiology and clinical features, is fundamental for appropriate clinical conduct and the creation and/or amplification of preventive measures.