My senior cat has a black hard lump on her lip. Is it cancer?

Unfortunately, in this area I would be concerned that this is some type of cancerous growth.I would recommend an immediate vet visit - your vet can take a sample of the lump and tell you what it is. Based on that diagnosis a treatment plan can be developed.

This might need to be removed surgically, the best way to find out is to take her to the vet, they will aspirate a small sample with a syringe and needle from the lump, then they will send it to the lab to find out if the tumor is cancerous or benign. if it is cancerous it will need to be removed for sure, but even if it is benign, due to the symptom it causes, your vet might advise surgical removal.

It could be a lipoma, but unfortunately in a senior cat like Leia it could also be a malignant tumor. Other possibilities include a cyst, abscess, or benign tumor. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Leia seen by a vet tomorrow to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.

Yes, this does sound like a melanoma. please take your cat to a vet ASAP as melanomas are very aggressive. Your vet may not even biopsy it for fear of spreading it, but opt to remove the tumor surgically under anesthesia. Do not wait, take her now.

While there is normally irregular bumps around that area of the lip, it is usually not that big. I would have your vet check it to be sure. It maybe a growth or an infection or inflamed from that tooth rubbing it

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is very likely a malignant tumor unfortunately. Cats are very well known for having a mouth tumor called squamous cell carcinoma which carries a poor prognosis. However, it could still be something else. The only way to know is by doing some sampling via fine needle aspiration or possibly a biopsy. If squamous cell carcinoma is confirmed, it is not likely to respond to medications much other than mild decrease in inflammation. Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is limited by how aggressive this tumor is though sometimes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are options. Sorry for the sad news. Let's hope it is more on the benign side. Good luck and have a great day!

From the picture, it could be that Lemon has a papilloma (benign tumor) or another kind of benign tumor. In a senior cat, there is always a chance it could be a malignant tumor. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Lemon seen by a vet in the morning to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.