URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003274.

htm
AbdominaI mass
An abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen).
Considerations
An abdominal mass is usually found during a routine physical examination. Most of the time the mass develops slowly.
You may not be able to feel the mass.
Finding where the pain occurs helps the doctor make a diagnosis. For example, the abdomen is usually divided into
four areas:
Right-upper quadrant
Left-upper quadrant
Right-lower quadrant
Left-lower quadrant
Other terms used to find the location of abdominal pain or masses include:
Epigastric -- center of the abdomen just below the rib cage
Periumbilical -- area around the bellybutton
The location of the mass and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues to its cause.
Causes
Abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause a pulsating mass around the navel.
Bladder distention (urinary bladder over-filled with fluid) can cause a firm mass in the center of the lower
abdomen above the pelvic bones. n extreme cases it can reach as far up as the navel.
Cholecystitis can cause a very tender mass that is felt below the liver in the right-upper quadrant (occasionally).
Colon cancer can cause a mass almost anywhere in the abdomen.
Crohn's disease or bowel obstruction can cause many tender, sausage-shaped masses anywhere in the
abdomen.
Diverticulitis can cause a mass that is usually located in the left-lower quadrant.
Gallbladder tumor can cause a tender, irregularly shaped mass in the right-upper quadrant.
Hydronephrosis (fluid-filled kidney) can cause a smooth, spongy-feeling mass in one or both sides or toward the
back (flank area).
Kidney cancer can sometimes cause a mass in the abdomen.
Liver cancer can cause a firm, lumpy mass in the right upper quadrant.
Liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) can cause a firm, irregular mass below the right rib cage, or on the left side
in the stomach area.
Neuroblastoma, a cancerous tumor, often found in the lower abdomen, that mainly occurs in children and
infants.
Ovarian cyst can cause a smooth, rounded, rubbery mass above the pelvis in the lower abdomen.
Pancreatic abscess can cause a mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
Pancreatic pseudocyst can cause a lumpy mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
Renal cell carcinoma can cause a smooth, firm, but not tender mass near the kidney (usually only affects one
kidney).
Spleen enlargement (splenomegaly) can sometimes be felt in the left-upper quadrant.
Stomach cancer can cause a mass in the left-upper abdomen in the stomach area (epigastric) if the cancer is
Abdominal mass: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003274.htm
1 oI 3 10/5/2013 7:27 PM
PDF Creator - PDF4Free v3.0 http://www.pdf4free.com
large.
Uterine leiomyoma (fibroids) can cause a round, lumpy mass above the pelvis in the lower abdomen (sometimes
can be felt if the fibroids are large).
Volvulus can cause a mass anywhere in the abdomen.
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction can cause a mass in the lower abdomen.
Home Care
All abdominal masses should be examined as soon as possible by the health care provider.
Changing your body position may help relieve pain due to an abdominal mass.
When to Contact a MedicaI ProfessionaI
Seek immediate medical help 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 doctor if you notice any type of abdominal mass.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
n nonemergency situations, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and
medical history.
n an emergency situation, you will be stabilized first. Then, the doctor will exam your abdomen and ask questions
about your symptoms and medical history, such as:
Where is the mass located?
When did you notice the mass?
Does it come and go?
Has the mass changed in size or position? Has it become more or less painful?
What other symptoms do you have?
A pelvic or rectal examination may be needed in some cases. Tests that may be done to find the cause of an
abdominal mass include:
Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal x-ray
Angiography
Barium enema
Blood tests such as CBC and blood chemistry
Colonoscopy
EGD
sotope study
Sigmoidoscopy
AIternative Names
Mass in the abdomen
References
Mcquaid K. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. n: Goldman L, Schafer A, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th
ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 134.
Squires RA, Postier RG. Acute abdomen. n:Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston
Abdominal mass: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003274.htm
2 oI 3 10/5/2013 7:27 PM
PDF Creator - PDF4Free v3.0 http://www.pdf4free.com
Textbook of Surgery. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2012:chap 47.
Update Date: 10/14/2012
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of
Washington. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, nc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R.
Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
A.D.A.M., nc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission
(www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous
standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online
health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy.
A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation
(www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical
condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all
medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other
sites. Copyright 1997-2013, A.D.A.M., nc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.
Abdominal mass: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003274.htm
3 oI 3 10/5/2013 7:27 PM
PDF Creator - PDF4Free v3.0 http://www.pdf4free.com