What Are the Symptoms of an Abdominal Tumor?

An abdominal tumor is an abnormal growth of cells that develop into a solid mass, and may occur in the upper or lower, left, or right quadrant of the abdomen. The causes of an abdominal mass can vary, depending upon the region where it has developed, and symptoms typically correspond with the causes. For instance, diverticulitis, which is an inflammation of an abnormal sac in the intestine that can sometimes cause a mass to form, may result in symptoms such as fever, chills, and unintentional weight loss. Stomach cancer may also cause a mass, and some of the symptoms can include extreme stomach pains, bloody vomit or dark stools, and difficulty swallowing.

It is not surprising to find that many symptoms can be associated with this abnormal growth because so many potential reasons for an abdominal tumor exist. For instance, ailments of the urinary tract such as bladder distention or renal cell carcinoma, which can result in the growth of tumors, can present with a number of symptoms. These symptoms range from back pain and a marked swelling of the stomach to frequent or involuntary urination.

Certain gynecological and gastrointestinal conditions can also sometimes cause the growth of an abdominal tumor. 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 of the whites of the eyes, and extreme abdominal pain or tenderness. Gynecological causes of tumor growth may go unnoticed, as many otherwise healthy women sometimes experience a number of the symptoms. These symptoms can 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 that sits at the center of the stomach. Although this is true in some cases, in others, an abdominal tumor may take on an unusual shape and can sit anywhere in the stomach. For example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a pulsating mass generally found around the naval. 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 all around the abdomen and may present with symptoms such as loss of appetite and weight loss, persistent diarrhea or rectal bleeding, fever, or fatigue.