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Abdominal mass

Definition

An abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen).

Considerations

An abdominal mass is often found during a routine . Most of the time, the mass develops slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass.

Locating the mass helps your health care provider make a diagnosis. For example, the abdomen can be divided into four areas:

  • Right-upper quadrant
  • Left-upper quadrant
  • Right-lower quadrant
  • Left-lower quadrant

    • Other terms used to describe the location of abdominal pain or masses include:

  • Epigastric -- center of the abdomen just below the rib cage
  • Periumbilical -- area around the belly button

    • The location of the mass and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues to its cause.

    Causes

    Several conditions can cause an abdominal mass:

  • can cause a pulsating mass around the navel.
  • (urinary bladder over-filled with fluid) can cause a firm mass in the center of the lower abdomen above the pelvic bones. In extreme cases, it can reach as far up as the navel.
  • can cause a very tender mass that is felt below the liver in the right-upper quadrant (occasionally).
  • can cause a mass almost anywhere in the abdomen.
  • or bowel obstruction can cause many tender, sausage-shaped masses anywhere in the abdomen.
  • 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.
  • (fluid-filled kidney) can cause a smooth, spongy-feeling mass in one or both sides or toward the back (flank area).
  • can sometimes cause a smooth, firm, but not tender mass in the abdomen.
  • can cause a firm, lumpy mass in the right upper quadrant.
  • (hepatomegaly) can cause a firm, irregular mass below the right rib cage, or on the left side in the stomach area.
  • , a cancerous tumor often found in the lower abdomen can cause a mass (this cancer mainly occurs in children and infants).
  • can cause a smooth, rounded, rubbery mass above the pelvis in the lower abdomen.
  • can cause a mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
  • can cause a lumpy mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
  • (splenomegaly) can sometimes be felt in the left-upper quadrant.
  • can cause a mass in the left-upper abdomen in the stomach area (epigastric) if the is large.
  • Uterine (fibroids) can cause a round, lumpy mass above the pelvis in the lower abdomen (sometimes can be felt if the fibroids are large).
  • can cause a mass anywhere in the abdomen.
  • can cause a mass in the lower abdomen.

    • Home Care

    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.

    When to Contact a Medical Professional

    Get medical help right away if you have a pulsating lump in your abdomen along with severe . 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.

    What to Expect at Your Office Visit

    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:

  • 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 exam may be needed in some cases. Tests that may be done to find the cause of an abdominal mass include:

  • Blood tests
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy ()
  • Paracentesis
  • Stool analysis
  • Urine tests
  • X-rays of the chest or

    • References

    Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Abdomen. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 10th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

    Landmann A, Bonds M, Postier R. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46.

    McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.

    Schedule An Appointment

    Contact Atlanta Obsetrics and Gynaecology at The Womens Center Millennium Hospital - 404-ATL-BABY

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    Review Date: 10/20/2022

    Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.