Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 62, Issue 2 , Pages 233-238, February 2010

Cheilitis glandularis: A clinicopathological study in 22 patients

  • Marcello Menta Simonsen Nico, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
    • ,
  • Juliana Nakano de Melo, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Dermatology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
    • ,
  • Silvia Vanessa Lourenço, DDS, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pathology, Dental School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Silvia Vanessa Lourenço, DDS, PhD, Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av Prof. Lineu Prestes 2227, São Paulo, CEP: 05508-000, SP, Brazil.

Accepted 8 June 2009. published online 11 December 2009.

Background

Cheilitis glandularis (CG) is a condition in which thick saliva is secreted by minor labial salivary glands and adheres to a swollen lip causing discomfort to the patient. Most publications refer to single case reports or small case series.

Objective

We sought to report and to analyze clinical, pathological, and therapeutic data on 22 patients with CG seen at the department of dermatology at our university.

Method

Retrospective data about 22 patients with CG are reviewed and presented.

Results

Seventeen patients were male and 5 were female. All were fair skinned, including 6 albino individuals. Several of them presented significant signs of photodamage on the lips. Surgical treatment was performed in 10 severely affected patients and consisted of a vermilionectomy followed by minor salivary gland removal. Histopathological study revealed various degrees of chronic sialadenitis and vermilion epithelial changes. Superficially invasive and in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the vermilion was detected in 3 cases.

Limitations

Biopsy and surgery were not performed in all patients.

Conclusions

CG is strongly related to sun sensitivity and may be more severe in albino patients. The swollen, sun-exposed lip may become more susceptible to the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma.

Key words: cheilitis glandularis, lip diseases, vermilionectomy

 

 Funding sources: None.

 Conflicts of interest: None declared.

PII: S0190-9622(09)00723-3

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.06.038

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 62, Issue 2 , Pages 233-238, February 2010