Lip Cancer

Lip cancer is one of the most common types of head and neck cancer. Although it mostly occurs on the lower lip, it can affect the upper lip and the lining of the lips. Lip cancer is one of the many cancers we treat at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. With diverse treatment options, including naturopathic medicine, we have the personalized care you need.

Our team – including counselors, nutritionists and board certified specialists – help our patients navigate their cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery.

Signs of lip cancer you should know

A lip sore that doesn't heal is the most common symptom of lip cancer.

Other symptoms include:

• Pain, numbness or tingling
• Bleeding
• Discoloration
• Lump or thickening of the lips

Signs that cancer has advanced are swollen lymph nodes and swelling in the jaw. Some noncancerous dental conditions cause these symptoms, so it's important to have your doctor confirm or rule out lip cancer.

Preventing and treating lip cancer

At Goshen Center for Cancer Care, we take an aggressive yet compassionate approach to treating lip cancer. Lip cancer treatment largely depends on the stage. Removing the cancer through surgery is our first strategy. Advanced lip cancer requires more extensive surgery.

Preventing lip cancer begins changing risk factors you can control, such as smoking, heavy alcohol use and sun exposure. Smoking cessation programs offered through Goshen Health can help you quit smoking, a primary cause of lip cancer.