An abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen). An abdominal mass is most often found during a routine physical exam . Most of the time the mass develops slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass. Locating the pain helps your health care provider make a diagnosis. For example, the abdomen can be divided into 4 areas: Other terms used to find the location of abdominal pain or masses include: The location of the mass and its
firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues to its cause. Several conditions can cause an abdominal mass: All abdominal masses should be examined as soon as possible by the provider. Changing
your body position may help relieve pain due to an abdominal mass. Get medical help right away if you have a pulsating lump in your abdomen along with severe abdominal pain . This could be a sign of a ruptured aortic aneurysm, which is an emergency condition. Contact your provider if you notice any type of
abdominal mass. In nonemergency situations, your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. In an emergency situation, you will be stabilized first. Then, your provider will examine your abdomen and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, such as: A pelvic or rectal exam may be needed in some cases. Tests that may be done to find the cause of an abdominal mass include: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon
BS, Stewart RW. Abdomen. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Siedel's Guide to Physical Examination . 8th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby; 2015:chap 17. McQuaid K. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 132. Squires R, Carter SN, Postier RG. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 20th ed. Elsevier; 2017:chap 45.
A Closer Look
Self CareTests for Abdominal mass
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Why do I have a lump on the left side of my upper stomach?Possible causes include hernias, lipomas, hematomas, undescended testicles, and tumors. Not all abdominal lumps require treatment, but some may need surgery. Abdominal lumps can be hard or soft and may feel sore. However, they may also appear with no additional symptoms.
What would cause a lump in the upper abdomen?Most often, a lump in the abdomen is caused by a hernia. An abdominal hernia occurs when there is a weak spot in the abdominal wall. This allows the internal organs to bulge through the muscles of the abdomen. A hernia may appear after you strain, or lift something heavy, or after a long period of coughing.
What is under the left rib cage lump?Your spleen is an organ that sits just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms.
What does an abdominal tumor feel like?An abdominal mass causes visible swelling and may change the shape of the abdomen. A person with an abdominal mass may notice weight gain and symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, pain, and bloating.
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