An abdominal tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that becomes a solid mass and can occur in the left or right upper or lower quadrant of the abdomen. The causes of an abdominal mass can vary, depending on the region where it has developed, and the symptoms generally correspond to the causes. For example, diverticulitis, which is an inflammation of an abnormal sac in the intestine that can sometimes cause a mass to form, can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, and unintentional weight loss. Stomach cancer can also cause a mass, and some of the symptoms can include extreme stomach pains, vomiting blood or dark stools, and difficulty swallowing.
It is not surprising to find that many symptoms may be associated with this abnormal growth because there are many potential reasons for an abdominal tumor. For example, urinary tract conditions, such as bladder distention or renal cell carcinoma, which can lead to the growth of abdominal tumors, can present with a range of symptoms. These symptoms range from back pain and marked swelling of the stomach to frequent or involuntary urination.
Certain gynecological and gastrointestinal conditions can also sometimes cause an abdominal tumor to grow. Liver cancer and cholecystitis, or a sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, can cause symptoms such as an enlarged stomach or an unusual feeling of fullness, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, and extreme abdominal pain or tenderness. The gynecological causes of tumor growth may go unrecognized, as many healthy women sometimes experience several of the symptoms. These symptoms may include bleeding between menstrual periods, pelvic pain before or after a menstrual period, and constipation.
When some people think of an abdominal tumor, they often think of a large, round mass in the center of the stomach. Although this is true in some cases, in others an abdominal tumor can take an unusual shape and can sit anywhere in the stomach. For example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a pulsating mass that is usually found around the naval area. This condition can cause symptoms such as stomach or back pain, nausea, or clammy skin. Crohn's disease sometimes causes painful, sausage-like masses to develop around the abdomen and may present with symptoms such as loss of appetite and weight loss, persistent diarrhea or rectal bleeding, fever, or fatigue.