DefinitionAn abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen). Show
Alternative NamesMass in the abdomen ConsiderationsAn 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 four 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. CausesSeveral conditions can cause an abdominal mass:
Home CareAll 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 ProfessionalGet 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. What to Expect at Your Office VisitIn 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:
ImagesReferencesBall 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. 9th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019: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. 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. Which condition is most likely when the patient experiences chest pain with exertion?Angina is chest pain that comes and goes. There are several types of angina. Stable angina (angina pectoris) is the most common type, and it's caused by coronary artery disease.
Which diagnosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of the joints and cardiac tissue that follows a sore throat caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococcus?rheumatic fever, inflammatory disease of the heart, joints, central nervous system, and subcutaneous tissues that develops after a throat infection with group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria, including untreated scarlet fever or strep throat.
Do patients with coronary heart disease always experience pain?The most common symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD) are chest pain (angina) and breathlessness. But some people may not have any symptoms before they're diagnosed.
Is a hereditary bleeding disease resulting from a deficiency of clotting factors?Hemophilia is usually an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. This can lead to spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery. Blood contains many proteins called clotting factors that can help to stop bleeding.
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