Radiotherapy for cancers of the lip

Abstract

The lip is one of the most commonly affected sites for squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. Since these cancers are often detected early, they are cured in over 80 % of patients. Surgery is commonly used for the definitive management of this disease. Still, radiotherapy is equally effective as a definitive modality and improves outcomes after surgery for high-risk features. Here, we will present the indications for definitive and adjuvant radiotherapy to treat both the primary site and the neck. In addition, we will discuss the techniques including orthovoltage photons, megavoltage electrons, as well as low-dose-rate and high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Finally, we will cover the outcomes for each treatment modality. Thus, we intend this review to cover the necessary information to successfully irradiate lip cancers.