Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip is usually early diagnosed and shows low incidence of neck metastases. AIM: The study aimed at assessing the incidence and location of lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-series study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A review of 78 case records of patients treated between 1990 and 2001. The relation between primary tumor size, histological grading and commissure involvement with presence and location of lymph node metastases was evaluated. RESULTS: Lymph node metastases were detected in 7% of lesions < 3 cm and in 41% of tumors > 3 cm (p=0.002). Ten patients had metastases, out of which 8 were level I, and only 2 were of other levels. After elective treatment of the neck, only level I metastases were found. CONCLUSION: Metastases are not commonly found in lesions < 3 cm. If present, they are usually level I and, in this case, suprahyoid neck dissection can be indicated for elective treatment.
squamous cell cancer; lip; metastasis; neck dissection
