What is this LESION on my lip???

For almost a year now, I have had what seems to be a cold sore on my lower lip, that has actually burst before, but it would heal. What has happened is that the tissue over time, has become more "dense."  This are is localized to the left middle portion of my lower lip (the outside). There is less vascular supply to the area as when I stretch it out, it turns "white" where as the rest of my lip is soft, pliable, and pink all throughout. I KNOW something is different. I had it biopsied but I haven't received a straight answer from my dermatologist. The result came back as "benign hyperplasia." Having a name that implies a growth of cells does not help. Of all the pictures on the internet, it looks the most like lip cancer, yet it is not. I am scared because it has been so long as has not gone away. At times it becomes very painful, more so when I start to pick at it. I barely do this but when i do, it almost seems as if an "ulcer" type lesion forms. It is sort of like a crater or eggshell. Moisturizers soften the tissue but it remains hard. If this is pre cancerous, I need to know. I will seek another professional opinion but i've never had anything like this before, and I cant find ANYONE else on the internet that has had this same problem. What scares me is that I have been exposed orally to the high risk HPV as one of my girlfriends had it before. I may still have it for all i know but there are no tests. I don't know what else to do... I will try to post a picture here. Please help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One possibility which can present like this is of actinic cheilitis and the other one is of leukoplakia. Both these need to be investigated. Actinic cheilitis is a form of cheilitis which is the counterpart of actinic keratosis of the skin and can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Without biopsy, it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis and hence I suggest you to get a repeat biopsy skin done because the earlier one showed dysplasia.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing

[M284]

Hi,

I have the exact same issue. I've seen two dermatologists. The first one was convinced it wasn't cancer and gave me some topical medication for eczema which didn't work.

The second one was convinced it was a wart and used liquid nitrogen to burn it off. I have just come from having the procedure done and will know the results in about 2 days if it heals. Can you update me on your experience?

Thanks,

M