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Actinic cheilitis - Oral Mucosal Lesion
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Actinic cheilitis - Oral Mucosal Lesion

Contributors: Vivian Wong MD, PhD, Carl Allen DDS, MSD, Sook-Bin Woo MS, DMD, MMSc, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Actinic cheilitis (also known as farmer's lip or sailor's lip) represents confluent actinic keratoses on the lips, most often the lower lip. Like discrete actinic keratoses, actinic cheilitis is also a premalignant condition related to cumulative lifetime sun exposure. It is significantly more common in men, elderly patients, and patients with light skin phototypes.

Individuals with actinic cheilitis often present with complaints of persistent dryness and cracking of the lips. They will frequently exhibit other cutaneous manifestations of sun damage (eg, actinic keratoses, poikiloderma of Civatte, actinic comedones).

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) develops in 10%-30% of cases of actinic cheilitis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
K13.0 – Diseases of lips

SNOMEDCT:
46795000 – Actinic cheilitis

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Last Reviewed:11/02/2020
Last Updated:11/02/2020
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Patient Information for Actinic cheilitis - Oral Mucosal Lesion
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Actinic cheilitis, sometimes known as "farmer's lip" or "sailor's lip," is a precancerous condition related to cumulative lifetime sun exposure. The lower lip is most often affected. Individuals with actinic cheilitis often complain of persistent dryness and cracking of the lips. They will frequently exhibit other effects of sun-damaged skin, such as precancerous lesions on the skin called actinic keratoses and extensive wrinkling.

A certain type of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) develops in 6% to 10% of cases of actinic cheilitis.

Who’s At Risk

Actinic cheilitis is significantly more common in men, the elderly, and individuals with light skin colors.

Signs & Symptoms

Actinic cheilitis is located on the lips, most often the lower lip. Persistent redness, scaliness, and chapping are among the symptoms noted. Erosions and cracks (fissures) may be present as well.

Self-Care Guidelines

Prevention is very important. Wearing barrier clothing (eg, wide-brimmed hats) and sunscreen-containing lip balms can aid in preventing actinic cheilitis.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek the evaluation of a primary care provider or dermatologist when persistent scaling of the lips is noted. A biopsy of the lip may be needed to rule out squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatments

In severe cases without evidence of malignancy, a lip shave procedure (vermilionectomy) may be performed. In less extreme cases, your physician may recommend destruction (ablation) of the damaged cells with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.

Alternative treatments include the use of electric current to destroy the precancerous cells (electrodesiccation) and a facial sanding technique (dermabrasion). Topical therapy with a chemotherapeutic agent (fluorouracil) or a topical immunomodulator (imiquimod) may be prescribed.

References


Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1090-1091. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed, pp. 721-725, 741. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Actinic cheilitis - Oral Mucosal Lesion
A medical illustration showing key findings of Actinic cheilitis : Lip scaling, Dry lips
Clinical image of Actinic cheilitis - imageId=2929233. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Scaly, white, and erythematous plaques on the lower lip.'
Scaly, white, and erythematous plaques on the lower lip.
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.