What is Pelvic or Abdominal Mass?

A pelvic or abdominal mass is a swelling or enlargement in the pelvic area due to problems either in the gynecologic organs, such as the uterus or cervix or in the abdominal organs, such as the bladder, kidneys, and intestines. A mass may be caused by fibroids (non-cancerous growths), endometriosis (growth of uterine tissue outside the womb), ectopic pregnancy (development of an embryo outside the womb), ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs), tumors, abscesses, and kidney enlargement or bowel obstructions.

Symptoms of Pelvic Mass or Abdominal Mass

Women that have a pelvic mass at some point in their lives may or may not experience symptoms. The most common symptom is:

Pelvic pain, which may be accompanied by swelling or bloating of the abdomen
Frequent urination
Nausea or vomiting.

To diagnose a pelvic mass, your doctor will order blood tests, imaging studies (X-ray, ultrasound or MRI), biopsy (a small sample of the mass is removed for lab analysis) and laparoscopy (a lighted tube is inserted to the region to get a clear view of the problem).

Based on the diagnosis, your doctor will suggest medication to treat the underlying condition, surgery to remove the mass, or a combination of surgery and chemotherapy to treat a cancerous mass.