Basal cell carcinoma on the vermilion border of the lip: A study of six cases

Background. The vermilion border of the lower lip is a frequent location of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but it is very rarely mentioned within the published series of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Objective: We present 6 c ases of BCC involving either mainly or exclusively the vermilion border of a lip. Methods: We reviewed from our files all the cases of BCC diagnosed i n a period of 11 years. Results: A number of 3,477 BCCs were histologically diagnosed in that period; 2,872 (82.6%) of them were located on the head, and 66 (2.3%) of the latter (1.9% of all BCCs) were on the lips. In 6 cases , the neoplasm involved either mainly or exclusively the vermilion border o f either the lower (5 cases) or the upper (1 case) lip. Conclusion: Not eve ry carcinoma of the vermilion border of the lip is a SCC. Copyright (C) 200 1 S. KargerAG, Basel.