Chronic edema of the lips--a rare but real problem: a report of 3 cases and their response to therapy.

Chronic edema of the lips is rare but disabling. We present 3 illustrative cases of chronic edema involving the lips. The causes were (1) idiopathic, (2) lymphedema occurring after radiation therapy, and (3) cheilitis granulomatosa. The edema subsided with compression therapy in the first 2 patients. Surgical decompression was helpful in the second patient, and dapsone therapy was initiated in the third. Chronic edema of the lips can be a clinically significant problem. These 3 cases illustrate the various causes and an approach to the management of chronic edema of the lips.