Abdominal Mass Detection and Treatment

An abdominal mass is usually detected on routine physical examination. Most of the time they develop slowly. You may not be able to feel the mass. 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 specify the location of abdominal pain or masses include:

• Epigastric -- center of the abdomen just below the ribcage
• Periumbilical -- the area around the bellybutton

The location of the mass, and its firmness, texture, and other qualities can provide clues as to the cause of an abdominal mass.

Home Care

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.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

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.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

In nonemergency situations, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.
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 changes in size or position, or 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 determine 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