Definition of Abdominal 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.

Common 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. In 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 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.