Abdominal Masses
Overview
An abdominal mass is an unusual growth in your child's abdomen. The growth might be in the stomach, intestines, solid organs or another area of the belly. While many abdominal masses are non-cancerous (benign), some may be cancerous.
Examples of abdominal masses include:
- Adrenal tumor
- Hepatic tumor
- Neuroblastoma
- Ovarian cysts and tumors
- Renal tumors (including Wilms)
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Splenic cyst
If you suspect your child may have an abdominal mass, it's important for them to see their doctor for an exam as quickly as possible.
Symptoms of Abdominal Masses
Signs and symptoms of abdominal masses can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Irritability
- Mass or growth in the belly, felt beneath the skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling of the belly
- Unusual weight loss or gain
When to see a doctor
If your child has a mass or growth that you can feel beneath the skin or is experiencing any of the above symptoms with no other explanation, you should take them to see their pediatrician. Their doctor will perform an exam and determine next steps in evaluating your child to ensure the abdominal mass is not a sign of a serious, underlying condition.
Causes of Abdominal Masses
Abdominal masses in children can be caused by or seen with a variety of conditions, such as:
- Adrenal tumor
- Bowel obstruction
- Cholecystitis (swelling of the gallbladder)
- Hepatic (liver) tumor
- Hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney)
- Infection
- Neuroblastoma (cancer of nerve tissue)
- Ovarian cyst or tumor
- Renal (kidney) tumor, including Wilms tumor (the most common type of kidney cancer in children)
- Rhabdomyosarcoma (rare cancer that affects soft tissues)
- Splenic cyst
- Traumatic injury, such as in an automobile accident
Diagnosis of Abdominal Masses
Your child's pediatrician will perform a complete physical exam, which will include feeling your child's abdomen for swelling. They will also ask about your child's personal and family medical history. From there, they may refer your child to a surgeon, another specialist or the emergency department for one or more of the following tests to diagnose an abdominal mass:
- Blood test. Samples of your child's blood may show signs of infection, genetic disorders and other conditions.
- Colonoscopy. During this exam, the doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera on the end into your child's rectum. Your child is under sedation (asleep) during the procedure. The camera captures detailed images of the inside of your child's colon.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan. This test uses specialized X-ray technology. It creates detailed images of the inside of your child's abdomen, pelvic area and other structures.
- Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create detailed images of your child's abdomen and other structures.
- X-ray. This test uses radiation to create detailed images of the inside of your child's abdomen, including organs and other structures.
Treatments for Abdominal Masses
If your child has an abdominal mass, treatment will depend on if the mass is cancerous or non-noncancerous. Your child's doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:
- Chemotherapy. If your child's abdominal mass is cancerous, they may need to undergo chemotherapy to destroy the cancer. Chemotherapy involves taking specialized cancer-fighting medicines. Sometimes, chemotherapy is performed before surgical removal of the mass.
- Medications. Your child may need to take medication for an underlying condition that has caused the abdominal mass. Some children need to take hormone-replacing medication. While taking the medication, your child will need to regularly see their doctor to ensure the medicine is working as expected.
- Radiation therapy. If your child's abdominal mass is cancerous, they may need to undergo radiation therapy to destroy the cancer. Your child will undergo radiation therapy in an outpatient or hospital cancer center. Sometimes, radiation therapy is performed before surgical removal of the mass.
- Surgery. Your child may need to undergo surgery under general anesthesia (fully asleep) to remove the abdominal mass. During the procedure, your child's surgeon will use a minimally invasive approach with a camera and small incisions (cuts), or they may make a larger incision for open surgery. Depending on your child's condition, they may need to spend one or more nights in the hospital following the surgery for close monitoring. Your child's care team will provide you with specific, detailed post-surgical instructions, including how long your child should rest and when they can return to school.
Contact Us
If you suspect that your child may have Abdominal Masses, make an appointment with an Orlando Health pediatrician today so your child can start on the road to improved health.
