Clinicopathological Features and Statistical Associations in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lip.

Abstract

Background: Lip squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is frequently associated with chronic ultraviolet exposure and actinic cheilitis. Although prognosis is generally favorable, clinicopathological parameters may correlate with tumor characteristics and risk-related patterns.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 21 cases of lip SCC diagnosed at the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova between January 2021 and June 2025. Epidemiological and clinical variables (age, sex, area of residence, tumor site and size, macroscopic appearance) and histopathological parameters (subtype, grade, tumor extension, resection margin status, depth of invasion, perineural and vascular invasion) were evaluated. Associations were tested using the Chi-square (χ²) tests in IBM SPSS software.

Results: The mean age was 74.2±10.88 years, with male predominance (71.4%) and rural residence 71.4% of patients. Most tumors were located on the lower lip (90.4%). Keratinizing SCC was the most frequent histological subtype (61.9%), and well to moderately differentiated tumors (G1-G2) predominated. Muscular invasion was identified in 71.4% of cases, and pT3 was the most frequent (71.4%). Actinic cheilitis was present in all cases. Statistically significant associations were observed between gender and histological grade, tumor site and differentiation, and between histological subtype and degree of differentiation (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Lip SCC predominantly affects elderly male patients and most frequently involves the lower lip. Tumor localization, depth of invasion, and histological grade showed relevant associations with the aggressiveness of lip SCC.