Cheilitis glandularis: a clinicopathological study in 22 patients.
BACKGROUND
Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is a condition in which thick saliva is secreted by minor labial salivary glands and adheres to a swollen lip causing discomfort to the patient. Most publications refer to single case reports or small case series.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to report and to analyze clinical, pathological, and therapeutic data on 22 patients with CG seen at the department of dermatology at our university.


METHODS
Retrospective data about 22 patients with CG are reviewed and presented.


RESULTS
Seventeen patients were male and 5 were female. All were fair skinned, including 6 albino individuals. Several of them presented significant signs of photodamage on the lips. Surgical treatment was performed in 10 severely affected patients and consisted of a vermilionectomy followed by minor salivary gland removal. Histopathological study revealed various degrees of chronic sialadenitis and vermilion epithelial changes. Superficially invasive and in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the vermilion was detected in 3 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Biopsy and surgery were not performed in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
CG is strongly related to sun sensitivity and may be more severe in albino patients. The swollen, sun-exposed lip may become more susceptible to the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma.
Nico
Marcello Menta Simonsen
MM
Department of Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Nakano de Melo
Juliana
J
Lourenço
Silvia Vanessa
SV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000417:Albinism / Q000150:complications; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology*; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome