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Published on: 3/5/2025

What Might a Painful Pea-Sized Lump in My Upper Lip Be?

A painful pea-sized lump in your upper lip could be a blocked salivary gland, a type of benign tumor, or another condition.

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Explanation

A painful lump in the upper lip can arise from several causes:

  • Sialolithiasis (Salivary Gland Stone): This condition occurs when a stone forms in a salivary gland, leading to pain and swelling. The lump might feel firm and can be painful, especially during eating when the gland tries to produce saliva.
  • Benign Tumors: Conditions like glomangioma or angiomyoama can present as painful lumps in the lip area. Glomangioma is a rare vascular tumor that can cause discomfort, while angiomyoama is another benign growth associated with pain.
  • Other Conditions: There are various other possibilities, including infections, cysts, or even inflammation of the tissues in the lip.

If you notice a painful lump in your lip, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They may perform an examination and possibly imaging studies to determine the exact cause of the lump.

(References)

  • Suh DW, Lee EJ, Lew BL, Sim WY. Minor salivary gland sialolithiasis of the upper lip. Ann Dermatol. 2013 Nov;25(4):502-4. doi: 10.5021/ad.2013.25.4.502. Epub 2013 Nov 30. PMID: 24371404; PMCID: PMC3870225.

  • Hamilton AR, Paton A, Downie JJ. Glomangioma: rare case of a painful lump in the upper lip. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019 Oct;57(8):788-790. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2019.07.005. Epub 2019 Jul 23. PMID: 31345579.

  • Perić B, Vidaković B, Grgić N, Manojlović S, Čavka H. ANGIOMYOMA OF THE UPPER LIP - CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Acta Clin Croat. 2019 Mar;58(1):183-186. doi: 10.20471/acc.2019.58.01.24. PMID: 31363342; PMCID: PMC6629197.

  • Bhandarkar GP, Shetty KV. Differential diagnoses of elevated lesions of the upper lip: An overview. J Cancer Res Ther. 2017 Apr-Jun;13(2):170-174. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.204890. PMID: 28643729.

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