A non-healing lesion on the lip that is dry, scaly, or ulcerated is most commonly diagnosed as which cancer?

• A. Basal cell carcinoma
• B. Squamous cell carcinoma
• C. Melanoma
• D. Actinic keratosis

Answer: (B)

Persistent, non-healing lesions on the lip that are dry, scaly, or ulcerated point most strongly to squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer arises from the surface squamous cells of the epidermis and is closely tied to sun damage to the lips. On the lips, SCC characteristically presents as an ulcerated or crusted area that fails to heal, reflecting its invasive and destructive nature. Basal cell carcinoma tends to form pearly, waxy nodules with telangiectasias and is less often seen as a non-healing lip ulcer. Actinic keratosis is a premalignant patch and not yet cancer, though it can precede SCC. Melanoma on the lip is typically pigmented or irregular rather than a dry, non-healing ulcer.