Is there something like a lump in the stomach? (Abdominal Mass) Let's talk about this!

Sometimes you may feel something strange, like a small lump, inside your stomach. Or a doctor may see something like that when you examine you. It's normal to feel a little scared when you hear something like this, right? But don't worry, because not all lumps in the stomach are dangerous. Let's talk about this in more detail.

What is an abdominal mass?

Simply put, an 'Abdominal Mass' is an abnormal growth or lump that forms inside your abdomen, that is, inside your abdominal cavity. These can come in many forms. Some are just cysts, while others are tumors caused by cancer. Other diseases can also cause these lumps.

The important thing is that not all stomach tumors are dangerous . Some are harmless and just grow (benign). However, some can be life-threatening. Therefore, if you feel like you have a lump or a tumor in your stomach, it is very important to show it to a doctor to find out exactly what it is.

These tumors can develop anywhere in the abdomen. For example:

• In the upper right part of the abdomen.
• In the lower right part of the abdomen.
• In the upper left part of the abdomen.
• In the lower left part of the stomach.
• Under the rib cage, in the middle of the stomach (epigastric region).
• In the area around the umbilicus (periumbilical region).
• Sometimes it can even form on the outer wall of the stomach (subcutaneous and muscle wall).

Emergency! If you have a lump in your throat that feels like your heart is beating, and you have severe stomach pain, go to the hospital immediately . It could be an aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the wall of your large blood vessel (aorta). If this ruptures, it can cause bleeding inside your body and be life-threatening. This is an emergency.

What are the symptoms of a stomach tumor?

Whether you develop symptoms or not depends on several factors. These include the cause of the tumor, the type, size, and location of the tumor. Surprisingly, sometimes a doctor can find a tumor like this before you have any symptoms, just during a routine checkup.

However, if symptoms are caused by a stomach tumor, they may include:

• Abdominal pain.
• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Feeling of fullness and heaviness in the stomach.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Rectal bleeding.
• Swelling or tenderness at the site of the tumor.
• Unexplained weight changes (loss or gain of weight for no reason).

What are the causes of stomach ulcers?

A variety of health conditions can contribute to the development of stomach ulcers. Let's take a look at the main causes.

Types of Cysts

Cysts are sacs filled with fluid or pus. They can form anywhere on the body. Cysts are seen in the abdomen like these:

• Ovarian cysts - These are cysts that form in the ovaries of women.
• Pancreatic cysts.
• Pancreatic pseudocysts - These are not true cysts, but are formed by the accumulation of fluid in the pancreas.
• Peritoneal inclusion - The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. Cysts that form in this area.
• Seroma (fluid accumulation) after surgery.

Cancer

Unfortunately, some stomach tumors can be cancerous. Here are some types of such cancers:

• Colon cancer.
• Endometrial cancer.
• Gallbladder cancer.
• Kidney cancer.
• Liver cancer.
• Cancer of the nervous system (Neuroblastoma) - especially seen in young children.
• Stomach cancer.
• Uterine sarcoma.
• A special type of cancer that occurs in the digestive tract (Gastrointestinal stromal tumor - GIST).

Other medical conditions

In addition to cancer and common cysts, stomach tumors can be caused by a variety of other medical conditions. Some examples include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm - the emergency we talked about earlier.
• Crohn's disease - a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract.
• Diverticulitis - Inflammation of the small pouches in the large intestine.
• Enlarged liver (Hepatomegaly).
• Enlarged spleen.
• Inflammation of the gallbladder (Cholecystitis).
• Hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidneys due to urine).
• Uterine fibroids - These are usually not cancerous.

What are the possible complications of a stomach tumor?

A tumor in the abdomen can press on other organs around it, causing common complications such as:

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Bloating.
• The food is tasteless.

In addition, other complications can occur depending on the underlying cause of the tumor. For example, a tumor caused by Crohn's disease can cause intestinal blockages. Uterine fibroids can cause abnormal uterine bleeding.

How do you find out if you have a tumor in your stomach?

When you go to see a doctor, he or she will first do a physical examination. He or she will ask about your past illnesses, your family's illnesses, and your current symptoms.

Then, the doctor will make you lie down on a bed and palpate your abdomen. This will help him to see if there is a lump anywhere in your abdomen, if any organs are swollen, or if it hurts when you touch it.

If the doctor can feel this mass when he or she feels it in your abdomen, we call it a 'palpable abdominal mass.' 'Palpable' means that it can be felt or touched.

Tests to detect stomach tumors

After the physical examination, the doctor may need to perform some additional tests to learn more. These tests include:

• Angiogram - Examines the blood vessels to see if there are any blockages in the arteries.
• Blood tests - Check hormone levels and check for infections inside the body.
• Colonoscopy or Upper Endoscopy - A tube with a camera is inserted to look inside the digestive tract.
• Imaging tests - for example, abdominal X-rays, CT scans (computed tomography scans) or MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging).
• Transvaginal ultrasound - An ultrasound test performed through the vagina to look for tumors in the uterus of women.
• Urinalysis - Check for any abnormalities in the urinary system.

What are the treatments for stomach tumors?

Treatment for a stomach tumor depends on the underlying cause of the tumor. The doctor will try to treat the underlying condition.

Treatment options for a stomach tumor may include:

• Medications to treat the underlying condition.
• Surgery to remove a tumor in the stomach.
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor (often before surgery).
• Without any treatment, closely observing the tumor to see if it changes over time (Surveillance or watchful waiting).

What can we think about this situation? (Outlook)

Your overall outcome will depend on the cause of the tumor. Some stomach tumors, such as certain types of cysts, may not require any treatment. However, other stomach tumors, such as cancer, may require specialized treatment. This may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

With such a wide range of skills, trust your doctor. He or she can accurately diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan that's right for you.

Can stomach ulcers be prevented?

It's not always possible to prevent stomach ulcers. Because sometimes we don't even know if there's a risk. Some things happen for no apparent reason.

The best thing you can do is to treat and control any underlying conditions you may have. It's also important to see a doctor regularly for regular checkups.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have symptoms of a stomach tumor, such as abdominal pain, unexpected weight gain, or a change in bowel habits, make an appointment to see a doctor right away . If you feel anything "out of the ordinary," tell your doctor. He or she can run tests to determine what's causing your symptoms.

When should you go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 (1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance Service in Sri Lanka) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room:

• Very severe stomach pain.
• If the tumor in the stomach feels like it is pulsating, like a heart beating.

This is a medical emergency. These symptoms may indicate that you have an aortic aneurysm, a bulge in your large blood vessel (aorta). If this bulge ruptures, it can be life-threatening.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

Once you find out you have a stomach tumor, you can ask your doctor questions like these:

• What kind of tumor do I have?
• Is this cancer? Or is it noncancerous?
• What kind of treatment do I need?
• Will I need surgery? If so, how soon?
• Do I need chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor?
• How long will my treatment last?
• What happens if I don't get any treatment?
• What do you have to say about my diagnosis as a whole?

It's normal to feel a sense of shock and fear when you hear the words "mass" and "diagnosis" together. If questions like "What kind of mass is it?", "Do I have cancer?", "Is this life-threatening?" are running through your mind, you're not alone. Your doctor will help you find out why you're having these symptoms, what type of mass you have, and what treatments might help.

The most important thing (Take-Home Message)

If you feel something unusual in your stomach, such as a lump, swelling, or persistent pain, don't ignore it. Seek medical attention immediately. While not all stomach lumps are dangerous, it's wise to know exactly what they are and start treatment as soon as possible, if necessary. Remember, the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. Take care of your health and don't be afraid to talk to a doctor.

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