C00-C14: Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx

C00: Malignant neoplasm of lip

Malignant neoplasm of the lip is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the lip. Although it's uncommon, it typically occurs when abnormal cells in the lip grow and divide at an excessive rate. These cells can then invade nearby tissues and can potentially spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. People with lip cancer may notice a lump on their lip, bleeding or discomfort in the lip area, and visible changes in the appearance of the lip. Other symptoms can include sores that don't heal and redness or other abnormal coloration. The exact cause of lip cancer is not completely known, but factors such as excessive sun exposure, tobacco and alcohol use, and exposure to certain types of human papillomavirus can increase the risk. Early detection can result in a generally positive prognosis and treatment generally involves surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two.