title: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip in Australian patients: definitive radiotherapy is an efficacious option to surgery in select patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Australia, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip is a consequence of chronic sun exposure and treated as a nonmelanoma skin cancer. Patients may be recommended radiotherapy (RT) as a treatment modality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the outcome of patients with early-stage SCC of the lip treated with definitive RT at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia, between 1980 and 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three patients with early-stage SCC of the lip underwent RT. All patients were clinically node negative based on examination and/or relevant investigations. Retrospective chart review was performed. Patients treated since 2000 had data collected and entered prospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequently involved site was the lower lip (93%). Fifty-six patients (60%) had T1N0 and 37 patients (40%) had T2N0 disease. Most patients were treated with superficial or orthovoltage RT, with the median RT dose delivered 55 Gy (range, 40 to 70 Gy). Local recurrence occurred in 5 patients (5%), whereas regional metastases developed in 5 patients (5%). One patient developed concurrent local and regional relapse. No patient developed distant metastases. The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 90%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings confirm the efficacy of RT as an efficacious treatment option in early-stage lip SCC.
authors: *Department of Radiation Oncology, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; †NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Trang
authors: T
authors: Thanh Pham
authors: Shamira
authors: S
authors: Cross
authors: Val
authors: V
authors: Gebski
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Veness
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome