Abdominal mass

Abdominal mass
Synonyms	Abdominal lump, abdominal swelling
Pronounce
Field	Gastroenterology, General surgery, Oncology
Symptoms	Palpable lump, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, changes in bowel movements, visible swelling
Complications	Obstruction, hemorrhage, infection, malignancy
Onset	Sudden or gradual, depending on cause
Duration	Varies; transient or chronic
Types	Solid, cystic, inflammatory, neoplastic
Causes	Tumors (benign or malignant), cysts, abscesses, organomegaly, hernia, aneurysm
Risks	Family history, smoking, chronic inflammation, infection, genetic syndromes
Diagnosis	Physical examination, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Appendicitis, diverticulitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, ovarian cyst, colon cancer, hydronephrosis
Prevention	Depends on underlying cause; general health maintenance and regular checkups
Treatment	Based on cause; may include surgical removal, drainage, antibiotic therapy, or observation
Medication	Antibiotics, analgesics, chemotherapy (if malignant)
Prognosis	Varies widely; good if benign and treated, guarded if malignant
Frequency	Common clinical finding, especially in older adults
Deaths	Depends on etiology; potentially fatal if malignant or involving vital structures

An abdominal mass is a noticeable swelling or lump in the abdomen that can be felt upon physical examination. The presence of an abdominal mass is a clinical sign of various medical conditions, ranging from benign (non-cancerous) conditions such as cysts or hernias, to malignant (cancerous) conditions such as colorectal cancer or ovarian cancer.

Causes

Abdominal masses can be caused by a wide range of conditions, including:

• Gastrointestinal tract disorders, such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease
• Liver disease, such as hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) or liver cancer
• Pancreatic disease, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer
• Kidney disease, such as polycystic kidney disease or renal cell carcinoma
• Gynecological conditions, such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease
• Hernia, a condition in which an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of an abdominal mass typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging studies. The specific diagnostic tests used may depend on the suspected underlying cause of the mass.

Treatment

The treatment of an abdominal mass depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options may include medication, surgery, or other interventions.

See also

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal distension
• Abdominal examination