This protocol addresses patients with malignant neoplasm of the commissure of the lip presenting at T1 or T2 stage — early-stage lip cancer where the tumour remains locally confined. Five-year crude survival rates for T1 to T2 tumours are approximately 75–80 per cent with surgical treatment, substantially higher than for more advanced stages.
At T1 and T2 stage, early lip cancer can be treated equally well by surgery or radiation therapy. Where palliative approaches are indicated, both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are among the options considered. The specific agents, fractionation details, sequencing, and complete clinical algorithm are available in the full protocol.
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215116000499
The five-year crude survival rates for surgical treatment are about 75–80 per cent for T1 to T2 tumours, dropping to 40–50 per cent for T3 and T4 tumours.
Early stage cancer can be treated equally well by surgery or radiation therapy.
Palliative RT may be used, either over short fractionation schedules or split course, for patients with advanced and inoperable disease, or those who are not fit for a more toxic, radical approach.
Palliative chemotherapy with platinum-based drugs and 5FU or capecitabine can also be considered to help symptoms and improve survival.
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