A 53-year-old white male complained of a tongue alteration, noted by the dentist. On clinical examination, besides the lingual lesion, other changes were also observed: multiple red and blackened papules on the facial skin and atrophy of the lower lip, with loss of the interface between the skin and the labial mucosa, along with superficial and color changes, suggestive of actinic lesions (keratosis and cheilitis). Incisional biopsies were performed, and the histopathological reports were of the presence of epithelial atypia with the absence of malignancy in the tongue, compatible with microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma in the lip. The patient was an ex-smoker and had a history of chronic occupational sun exposure. This report highlights the importance of a thorough anamnesis and physical examination of the lips, often neglected by dentists. Thus, incisional biopsy and histopathological examination in actinic cheilitis, when indicated, are essential for the early detection of lip cancer. A 53-year-old white male complained of a tongue alteration, noted by the dentist. On clinical examination, besides the lingual lesion, other changes were also observed: multiple red and blackened papules on the facial skin and atrophy of the lower lip, with loss of the interface between the skin and the labial mucosa, along with superficial and color changes, suggestive of actinic lesions (keratosis and cheilitis). Incisional biopsies were performed, and the histopathological reports were of the presence of epithelial atypia with the absence of malignancy in the tongue, compatible with microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma in the lip. The patient was an ex-smoker and had a history of chronic occupational sun exposure. This report highlights the importance of a thorough anamnesis and physical examination of the lips, often neglected by dentists. Thus, incisional biopsy and histopathological examination in actinic cheilitis, when indicated, are essential for the early detection of lip cancer.