Abdominal mass

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Anatomical landmarks, front view

Aortic aneurysm

Fibroid tumors

Mass in the abdomen

All abdominal masses should be examined as soon as possible by the health care provider.

Changing your body position may help relieve pain due to an abdominal mass.

Seek immediate medical help 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 doctor if you notice any type of abdominal mass.

In nonemergency situations, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.

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In an emergency situation, you will be stabilized first. Then, the doctor will exam 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 examination may be needed in some cases. Tests that may be done to find the cause of an abdominal mass include:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal x-ray
• Angiography
• Barium enema
• Blood tests such as CBC and blood chemistry
• Colonoscopy
• EGD
• Isotope study
• Sigmoidoscopy

Review Date: 10/30/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).