Suggest Treatment For Small Bump On The Bone Between Left Eye And Temple

Posted on Sat, 8 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 8 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 1 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 15 year old boy. I found a small bump that is hard and immovable and appears to be stationary on the bone between my left eye and temple. I found this bump yesterday while rubbing my face--I am not sure how long it has been there, but this is the first time I am noticing it. It is not painful. It does not appear that I have a bump on my right side, just the left. From what I have read, it appears that this could be a pimple under the skin, or one of various types of harmless cysts. I have also read that the location of this bump would not be a common cancer location. Do you have any other ideas what this could be, maybe a bone bruise or something? Thanks so much

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer: hi and welcome to hcm Detailed Answer: It is obviously some benign subcutaneous lesion. Most commonly in this area we can see fibromas,lipomas or ateromas. Possibility of cancer is negligible,especially in your age. It can be traumatic fibroma too. bone issues are rarely seen in this area. Treatment is not necessary unless there is cosmetic concern. It can be surgically removed under local anasthesia. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (2 minutes later)

Thank you so much. Is there any possibility that this could develop into cancer, even though it is benign now? And because it is hard and immovable, will it continue to grow?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: hi Detailed Answer: such lesions cant progress to cancer since it doesnt have malignant potentional. Although, it can grow and probably will till the end of puberty,but it is hard to say how fast. Rarely it can even decrease in size or disappear completely. All in all you dont have to be worried since this is obviously something benign,but if you can check it with dermatologist or surgeon who can consider removal if neccessary.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (12 hours later)

The bump itself has bone-like qualities. It appears to be a growth on the bone. Would this require removal for health reasons, or only if it becomes a cosmetic issue?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: HI Detailed Answer: No,it doesnt require treatment unless there is rapid grow or pain or cosmetic concern. It may be exostosis of temporal bone but this is rare. these lesions I ve mentioined could be firm and bone-like tooespecially calcified fibromas.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

How is "rapid growth" classified? As in, how fast will it grow? It is under the skin, and can not be seen from the outside, only felt.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer: hi Detailed Answer: if there is growth faster than 0.5cm a year. I know it is hard to determine but if you notice by palpations that there is difference in size in next few months then it can indicate that there could be some difficulties.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (8 minutes later)

If there is rapid growth, what does that indicate? A certain type of cyst?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Hi Detailed Answer: it can indicate cyst or certain expansive bone or soft tissue tumors,but this is the last thing to think of.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (10 hours later)

Ok. About an hour ago I went to the dermatologist. I usually go to the dermatologist for my acne. I wouldnt consider my acne severe, but my face does break out occasionally. So, today, the dermatologist injected all of the pimples on my face with what I believe was cortisone. I also told her about the lump that I told you about. Without feeling it or examining it, she said that it was a cyst and that the injections will get rid of the cyst "quickly". It has been about an hour, and the lump has not reduced in size, nor have the pimples subsided. Is this normal, and if so, how long will it take for the lump to disappear?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (22 hours later)

Brief Answer: hi Detailed Answer: it is hard to say will it disappear at all. cortisone may help if there is some inflammatory process but most cysts and especially exostosis,fibromas or other subcutaneous lesions wouldnt be affected by cortisone. Also,it cant work right away. Sometimes more than several days and repeated cortisone injections are neccessary.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar