title: Surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip: an experience of 109 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong, University College of Medicine, Number 98, West Fifth Road, Xi'an, ShaanXi, People's Republic of China, 710004, zhikeqian@sina.com.
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rena
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lia
authors.forename: Changyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liua
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qianga
authors.forename: Linmei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaoa
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wangb
authors.forename: Keqian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies