I was just reading through the forum trying to gather some information and decided it might be better to ask. I'm currently 24 years old, and for the past several months, I've had a lump located beneath the skin in the little divot of my upper lip (between lip and nose). At first I didn't pay much attention to it, but it seems to have increased in size recently, and when I'm clean shaven it's clearly visible from a distance. I'm not looking for a diagnosis (obviously) but perhaps just some ideas of what I might have here...

It's hard, and approximately the size of a small marble (or perhaps a large BB). It hasn't caused any pain or irritation, although every now and again a topical zit forms on the top of it. I initially ignored it because I have persistent acne and swollen pores, but this is markedly different. Throughout my teenage years, I also occasionally had hard knotted lumps of flesh on the back of my head, but doctors never seemed to think they were problematic.

I'm not hugely worried that it's cancer, but the idea has occured to me every now and again. Some members of my family have also had benign subdermal cysts in various places, so I've been hoping that's all I'm dealing with. Unfortunately, I don't have medical coverage at the moment and am unemployed, and I'd absolutely hate to drop a couple hundred dollars to have a doctor look at me for 10 seconds and tell me it's nothing. On the other hand, if this is serious, I can certainly find a way to make the medical appointment happen.

Hmmm, I seem to be dragging on now. I should mention that I am a smoker, going on about 4 years now, off and on. I really don't think that's the root of this specific issue, unless I've developed lung cancer in record time and it's managed to metastasize to my lip (which I consider highly unlikely, in my grossly uneducated, non-medical opinion). Of course, I do realize the habit is absolutely horrid for my health, but that's an issue for another conversation.

Anyway, thank you folks in advance for any information you might be able to provide, and especially thank you for bearing with me through this overly verbose post. Peace, and good fortune to you all...

Hello Spectre

Do try and stop smoking.

The lump on your philtrum could be an epidermal cyst (alternative name: Sebaceous cyst; Keratin cyst; Epidermoid cyst). It most often arises from a swollen hair follicle. Skin trauma can also induce a cyst to form. A sac of cells is created into which a protein called keratin is secreted. It is a collection of keratin-like material - usually white, cheesy, or firm - contained in a cyst wall. The epidermal cyst normally has a small opening that communicates with the skin and may not be very well seen. Epidermal cysts can occur on any skin surface, but are most common on the face, back or base of the ears, chest, and back. They are usually slow- growing, painless, freely movable lumps beneath the skin. Epidermal cysts do not have to be removed unless they are cosmetically unacceptable or if they get infected. An infected epidermal cyst is red, swollen, and painful. It should be treated with antibiotics and then excised when it is not inflamed. The key to removing an epidermal cyst is removing all of the cyst wall, otherwise the likelihood of the cyst coming back is high.

While cysts are typically benign, it's wise to consult a physician about suspicious lumps and bumps.

Hope that helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

hi i have this lup on my top lip and its quite big it started twitching and then it has grew bigger im quite concerned plz help

Good Morning JoJo,
you are obviously worried about the lump so see your doctor within the next couple of days and get it sorted out.There are a couple of dozen reasons why lumps appear in the mouth and only one of them is cancer but you can't afford to take the risk.
Please let us know how you get on.
Keep Smiling
John.