Clinical assessment of treatment results in lower lip carcinoma

Analysis is made of a series of 39 patients with late metastases and recurrences of lower lip carcinoma. The results show that a great part of the patients develops metastases in the regional lymph nodes within varying periods of time (most frequently between six months and two years following radiation therapy). Operation and combined treatment of metastatic tumors subsequent to carcinoma of the lower lip secures a survival exceeding five years in a low percentage of patients only. Hence, prophylaxis and treatment of late metastases of lower lip carcinoma is considered as a problem still awaiting solution. (author)