Actinic Cheilitis - anyone had this?

[Portakalkedi]

I'm recently diagnosed with the above, symptoms are discoloured patches on lower lip, some swelling and tenderness inside lower lip, flaking skin too. It can be pre-cancerous. GP was useless, so my dentist referred me to hospital. Saw consultant at the Oral and Orthodontics dept and am about to have a biopsy. Anyone else had this? From googling it seems it should be referred to Dermatology - I do have a followup appointment for after the biopsy but wondering if anyone has had a similar experience/advice?

Hi, I suspect I have this. Saw a dermatologist who said it was eczema but it has returned despite steroids. Saw a skin cancer nurse who took a picture and sent to a dermatologist who wants to see me in person because they think it is sun damage (actinic chelitis). Now waiting to see a consultant.

Mine started after an IPL treatment on my face despite everything online saying this can't happen. Mine is on my top lip. The first dermatologist I saw was confident it wasn't sun damage but then the specialist nurse thought it was. So I don't know..

Mine seems to come and go. It goes dark red and occasionally scabby/dry. It feels tight. It's not that obvious, I've been trying to show it to DH who cant see it! Has been going on since May 25.

I've previously had breast cancer so now paranoid about anything cancer-related!

Mine is on my bottom lip, and apparently caused by sun damage. I'm amazed because I've never been a sun worshipper, always wear hat, suncream, long sleeves etc, even F50 lip balm. It came on suddenly 6 months ago, with swelling and tenderness to my lower lip, developed pale patches on the lip, flaking skin. Consultant said yes it was actinic cheilitis, told me to avoid sun, use sunscreen and so on. Asked me if I wanted a biopsy, which I've now decided to have (next week), with a followup in April. I will ask if I should be seeing a dermatologist rather than the oral and orthodontic department. My referral took about 3 months, so hope yours will happen soon.

I have an appointment to see a consultant in a couple of weeks. Fast because I went through my work private health insurance. I'm not too worried as the first consultant I saw seemed very confident it wasn't skin damage but who knows? It's odd to be in the same patch for nearly a year now so maybe it is.

I went for the biopsy, and it was the same consultant I'd seen previously. He said he didn't see any reason for me to have the biopsy, (although the week before he had approved my telephone request for it!). I said I was concerned that it may be pre cancerous, and he examined it again and said he didn't see anything to indicate this. He repeated that it was up to me if I wanted it - he was there with two nurses ready to do it - but I should be aware that the biopsy procedure could cause inflammation to the area. I was honestly a bit baffled but said I would not have it then if he was telling me there was no need. I do have a followup appointment booked which I will try to put back by a few months, so we can see if anything changes in that time.

Thanks for updating. So confusing when you get mixed messages! The patch on my lip has been very tight and flaky recently so it has been on my mind alot. My appointment is next week.

@Portakalkedi I saw the consultant yesterday. He is baffled about what the area on my lip is. He thinks it's most likely inflammation but wants to do a surgical biopsy to remove a chunk at the centre of it. So more waiting...

At least a biopsy will tell you if it's anything sinister. I may yet have one, seeing the consultant again in May. Good luck with the biopsy.