Fatores clínicos e histopatológicos associados à progressão da queilite actínica para carcinoma espinocelular de lábio: uma revisão integrativa da literatura.

Abstract

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a potentially malignant disorder (PMD) that primarily affects the lower lip, resulting from chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. Clinically, it manifests as whitish plaques, crusts, erythematous areas, and ulcerations. Histopathologically, it is characterized by solar elastosis, collagen fiber degradation, and chronic inflammation, with infiltration and dilation of the blood vessels in the connective tissue. The resulting photocarcinogenesis process may culminate in the development of lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical and histopathological factors associated with the progression of AC to LSCC. An integrative literature review was conducted on the clinical and histopathological factors associated with the malignancy of AC to LSCC in the databases Virtual Health Library, PubMed, and Web of Science, using the following descriptors in English: “Actinic cheilitis”, “Lip neoplasms”, “Squamous cell carcinoma” and “Lip photocarcinogenesis”, combined using the Boolean operator “AND”. AC is a PMD that can progress to LSCC. However, the process of AC malignization is still poorly understood, as it is not possible to predict which factors lead to its progression to LSCC. It is concluded that, despite advances in the understanding of AC, predicting its evolution to LSCC remains uncertain. The identification of clinical signs, histopathological alterations, and molecular patterns may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and to the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies, aiming to reduce the incidence and morbidity associated with lip squamous cell carcinoma.