Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Treatment of Lip Cancers in Senegal

Introduction. Lip cancers are uncommon among black people but not unusual. The objectives of this study were to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of lip cancers at ENT Department of National University Hospital of Fann in Dakar, Senegal. Patients and methods. We performed a retrospective and descriptive study at ENT Department of Fann teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, over a period of seven years, among patients with lip cancers confirmed by the pathology. The following data were studied: age, gender, past medical history, alcohol and tobacco intake, oral hygiene, the location of the lesions and their extensions, pathological findings, TNM classification, postoperative complications and mortality. Results. 19 cases were collected. The mean age of patients was 51 years, with a sex ratio of 1.4. Bad oral hygiene was the main risk factor followed by prolonged sunlight exposure. The lower lip was the main location of the lesion (73.7%). The budding ulcerative appearance was predominant (73.68%). Squamous cell carcinoma was found in all our patients. 68.42% of our patients were classified T3-T4. 63.15% of our patients underwent surgical resection of the tumor. The most common technique of reconstruction was Estlander flap (25%). Morbidity and mortality were respectively 50% and 31.6%. The global survival rate at one and three years was 85.7%. Conclusion. Lips cancers are relatively uncommon tumors in the black people. In our context, patients consult at advanced stages, making their treatment more difficult. ABSTRACT Introduction. Les cancers de la levre sont rares chez le melanoderme mais non exceptionnels. Les objectifs de cette etude etaient de decrire les aspects demographiques, cliniques et therapeutiques des cancers de la levre au CHNU de Fann (Dakar, Senegal). Patients et methodes. Etude retrospective descriptive sur une periode de 7 ans a la Clinique ORL du CHNU de Fann (Dakar, Senegal), chez des patients ayant un cancer de la levre confirme a l’examen histopathologique. Les parametres etudies etaient l’âge, le sexe, les antecedents, l’intoxication alcoolo-tabagique, l’etat bucco-dentaire, la localisation des lesions et leurs extensions, les resultats anatomopathologiques de la piece operatoire, la classification TNM, les complications postoperatoires et la mortalite. Resultats. 19 patients ont ete recrutes. L’âge moyen etait de 51 ans avec un sex ratio de 1,4. Le mauvais etat bucco-dentaire etait le premier facteur de risque, suivi de l’exposition solaire prolongee. On retrouvait majoritairement un aspect ulcero-bourgeonnant (73,68%). La localisation labiale inferieure etait la plus frequente (73,7%). Le carcinome epidermoide etait retrouve chez tous nos patients. 68,42% des patients etaient classes T3-T4. Le traitement chirurgical a concerne 63,15% des patients. La reconstruction par lambeau de Estlander etait la plus utilisee (25%). La morbidite et la mortalite ont ete respectivement de 50% et 31,6%. La survie globale des patients operes, a un an et trois ans etait de 85,7%. Conclusion. Les cancers de la levre sont des tumeurs relativement rares chez le sujet noir. Dans notre contexte, les patients consultent a des stades avances rendant leur prise en charge difficile.