Abdominal masses

For a lay person:

An abdominal mass is a lump or swelling that can be felt or seen in the abdomen. Some are harmless, such as a full bladder or constipated bowel; others come from enlarged organs, cysts or tumours, so every new lump needs checking.

For a trained medical person:

Assessment is by location, consistency, mobility and pulsatility; imaging (ultrasound or CT) is usually needed. Causes include hepatosplenomegaly, ovarian or uterine masses, abscess, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and gastrointestinal, renal or lymphatic malignancy.

In Chinese medicine:

Classed as accumulations and gatherings (積聚). Gatherings (聚) are soft masses that come and go, attributed to Qi Stagnation; accumulations (積) are fixed, hard masses attributed to Blood Stasis and Phlegm.

When to get help: Any new abdominal lump should be assessed by a doctor. A pulsating lump with sudden abdominal or back pain is an emergency.