Abdominal mass

Alternative names:

mass in the abdomen

Definition:

A localized swelling or enlargement in one area of the abdomen.

Considerations:

An abdominal mass is usually detected on routine physical examination. It may not have been detected by the affected person because most abdominal masses develop slowly.

An abdominal mass can be a sign of an abscess, a problem with a blood vessel (such as an aneurysm), an enlarged organ (such as the liver, spleen, or kidney), a tumor, or an accumulation of feces.

The abdomen is usually divided into 5 areas of location: right-upper quadrant, left-upper quadrant, right-lower quadrant, left-lower quadrant, and around the navel (periumbilical). The location of the mass, and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues as to the cause of an abdominal mass.

Common causes:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause a pulsating mass around the navel or right-upper quadrant.
• Bladder distention (urinary bladder over-filled with fluid) can cause a firm mass in the center of the lower abdomen above the pelvic bones, and in extreme cases can extend 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).
• Cholelithiasis can cause a painless, smooth mass in the right-upper quadrant.
• Colon cancer can cause a right-lower quadrant or left-lower quadrant mass.
• Crohn's disease can cause multiple tender, sausage-shaped masses in the right-lower or left-lower quadrant.
• Diverticulitis can cause a mass that is usually located in the left-lower quadrant.
• Gallbladder tumor can cause a moderately tender, irregularly shaped right-upper quadrant mass.
• 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 on the right-upper side or left-upper side
• Liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) can cause a firm irregular mass below the right rib cage (right costal margin) or on the left side in the stomach area (epigastric).
• Neuroblastoma, a malignant tumor often found in the lower abdomen, that primarily 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 (occasionally).
• Pancreatic pseudocyst can cause a lumpy mass in the upper abdomen (sometimes).
• Renal cell carcinoma can cause a smooth, firm, nontender mass near the kidney (usually only affects one kidney).
• Spleen enlargement (splenomegaly)--the edge of an enlarged spleen may 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 large.
• Uterine leiomyoma (fibroids) can cause a round, lumpy mass above the pelvis in the lower abdomen (occasionally 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.

Note: There may be other causes of abdominal masses. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for an abdominal mass, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.