Clinical and histopathological study of actinic cheilitis

Abstract

Introduction Actinic cheilitis is a inflammatory condition affecting mainly the lower lip and it is caused by chronic and excessive exposure of the lips to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. Objective Identifying clinical and histopathologic characteristics in 40 cases histopathologically diagnosed as actinic cheilitis. In addition, to investigate possible associations between these aspects. Method Defined as an observational, transversal, retrospective and descriptive study, it registered data regarding age, gender, occupation, symptomatology, records of sun exposure, frequency of sunblock use, tabagism, skin color, clinical aspect and histopathological classification. The data was submitted to the chi square test of Pearson (p<0.05). Result There was a predominance of male gender, leucodermia, and ages ranging between 50 and 60 years. The most common occupation was farming. From our sample, 85% had history of chronic sun exposure, in which 50% reported the use of some type of sunblock and only 25% were smokers. The main clinical condition was non-ulcerated leukoplakia and in the histopathological study, the hyperkeratosis were more common. A correlation between the degree of tissue alteration verified in the histopathological diagnosis and the studied clinical variables was not established (p=0.112). Conclusion The clinical aspect of the wound can conceal tissue alterations in different stages, emphasizing the importance of a premature diagnosis.

Abordagens terapêuticas não-cirúrgicas para a queilite actínica.

“…A QA é uma das condições orais com potencial de malignização mais comuns, acometendo com maior frequência homens, de pele clara e com idade acima dos 50 anos 1,4 . Pode estar relacionada com atividades profissionais que necessitem de exposição solar frequente 5,2 .…”

“…Com a progressão da lesão, aparecem áreas de ressecamento e fissuras no lábio, podendo também haver áreas leucoplásicas, eritroplásicas, eritroleucoplásicas, crostosas e/ou ulceradas. Como é assintomática na maioria dos casos, muitas vezes não é percebida pelo paciente, tendo em vista seu curso lento 5 .…”

“…Além disso, também pode apresentar áreas de exocitose e ulceração e exibir ou não diferentes graus de displasia ou até um carcinoma microinvasivo, aspecto importante para a tomada de decisão terapêutica. Já o tecido conjuntivo frequentemente demonstra elastose solar, infiltrado inflamatório crônico e telangiectasia 5 .…”