What Does a Lump in Your Lower Left Abdomen Mean?

Tumor of the digestive tract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a very rare type of tumor that originates in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. While these tumors can cause symptoms such as stomach pain and bloody feces, 1/4 of cases have no symptoms and are discovered accidentally.

You should follow up with a physician. Most often GISTs are not cancerous, but it is important to run tests to make sure.

Rarity: Ultra rare

Top Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Skin cyst

A cyst is a small sac or lump, filled with fluid, air, fat, or other material, that begins to grow somewhere in the body for no apparent reason. A skin cyst is one that forms just beneath the skin.

It's believed that skin cysts form around trapped keratin cells – the cells that form the relatively tough outer layer of the skin.

These cysts are not contagious.

Anyone can get a skin cyst, but they are most common in those who are over age 18, have acne, or have injured the skin.

Symptoms include the appearance of a small, rounded lump under the skin. Cysts are normally painless unless infected, when they will be reddened and sore and contain pus.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination. A small cyst can be left alone, though if it is unsightly or large enough to interfere with movement it can be removed in a simple procedure done in a doctor's office. An infected cyst must be treated so that the infection does not spread.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: skin-colored armpit bump, marble sized armpit lump, small armpit lump

Symptoms that always occur with skin cyst: skin-colored armpit bump

Urgency: Wait and watch

Skin abscess

A skin abscess is a large pocket of pus that has formed just beneath the skin. It is caused by bacteria getting under the skin, usually through a small cut or scratch, and beginning to multiply. The body fights the invasion with white blood cells, which kill some of the infected tissue but form pus within the cavity that remains.

Symptoms include a large, red, swollen, painful lump of pus anywhere on the body beneath the skin. There may be fever, chills, and body aches from the infection.

If not treated, there is the risk of an abscess enlarging, spreading, and causing serious illness.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination.

A small abscess may heal on its own, through the body's immune system. But some will need to be drained or lanced in a medical provider's office so that the pus can be cleaned out. Antibiotics are usually prescribed.

Keeping the skin clean, and using only clean clothes and towels, will help to make sure that the abscess does not recur.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: rash with bumps or blisters, red rash, red skin bump larger than 1/2 cm in diameter, pus-filled rash, rash

Symptoms that always occur with skin abscess: rash with bumps or blisters

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Reproductive tumors

Neoplasm means "new growth," and an ovarian neoplasm is abnormal tissue appearing on the surface of the ovary. A benign neoplasm is not cancerous, while malignant neoplasm indicates cancer.

Ovarian neoplasm is most common in postmenopausal women with a family history of cancer. Other risk factors include menstruation at a young age with menopause at a late age; having no pregnancies; hormone replacement therapy; endometriosis; and cigarette smoking.

The earliest symptoms of malignant neoplasm, or ovarian cancer, may include abdominal cramping, bloating, and swelling; low back pain; pain during sex; and vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Diagnosis is made through pelvic examination, blood test, and/or ultrasound.

Treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

There is no known prevention, but reducing the number of ovulations a woman experiences in her lifetime seems to reduce the risk of the disease. Late onset of menstruation and earlier onset of menopause lowers the number of cycles, while pregnancy, lactation, and hormonal birth control all suppress ovulation entirely.

Ovarian cyst

During her reproductive years, a woman's ovaries release a single egg cell each month. But sometimes the egg remains on the surface of the ovary, where the follicle that enclosed it continues to grow. It then becomes a fluid-filled ovarian cyst.

Ovarian cysts may be caused by hormonal imbalances; by endometriosis tissue, if it attaches to the ovary; and by severe pelvic infections that spread to the ovaries. Cysts may also form during pregnancy.

Small ovarian cysts often cause no symptoms. Larger cysts may cause pelvic pain, backache, unexplained weight gain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and/or pain during sex. Ovarian cysts are almost never a form of cancer.

Sudden, severe abdominal pain could indicate a ruptured cyst. This is a medical emergency and the patient should go to an emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Diagnosis is made through ultrasound.

Hormonal birth control, such as the pill, injection, or patch, prevents ovulation and therefore prevents the formation of cysts. Surgery to remove the cyst may be necessary in some cases.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: stomach bloating, vaginal bleeding, pelvis pain, lower abdominal pain, lower back pain

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Lipoma

Lipoma is a word that translates as "fatty tumor," but a lipoma is not cancer. It is simply a growth of fat between the muscle layer and the skin above it.

The exact cause is not known. The condition does run in families and is associated with other unusual syndromes such as adiposis dolorosa, which is similar. Lipomas most often appear after age 40.

Symptoms include a soft, easily moveable lump beneath the skin, about two inches across. A lipoma is painless unless its growth is irritating the nerves around it. They are most often found on the back, neck, and abdomen, and sometimes the arms and upper legs.

It is a good idea to have any new or unusual growth checked by a medical provider, just to make certain it is benign.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, biopsy, and imaging such as ultrasound or CT scan.

Most of the time, treatment is not necessary unless the lipoma is unsightly or is interfering with other structures. It can be removed through surgery or liposuction.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: skin-colored groin bump, marble sized groin lump, small groin lump

Symptoms that always occur with lipoma: skin-colored groin bump

Urgency: Wait and watch

Dermatofibroma

A dermatofibroma is a fairly common skin growth that usually appears on the lower legs, but may appear anywhere on the body. These mole-like growths are benign (noncancerous.)

The cause is not known, though a dermatofibroma may appear after a minor injury. The growths are not contagious.

Dermatofibromas are most common in adults and are rarely found in children.

Symptoms include a hard, raised growth that is red, pink, or brown and less than half an inch across. They are usually painless but may be tender or itchy, and may appear alone or in groups.

Any new growth on the skin should be seen by a medical provider, especially if the growth is very dark in color or changes its shape or appearance quickly.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and sometimes biopsy.

A dermatofibroma does not require treatment unless it is interfering with clothing or is unsightly. They can be surgically removed, though this will leave a scar and the growth may eventually return.

Colonic neoplasm

Colonic neoplasm means "new tissue" growing in the colon, or large intestine. This neoplasm may be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancer.)

The exact cause of any cancer remains unknown. Risk factors seem to be:

• Being over fifty years of age.
• Family history of the disease.
• A high-fat, low-fiber diet, typical in the modern world
• Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon such as Crohn's disease.
• Smoking and alcohol use.
• Diabetes, obesity, and inactivity.

The earliest symptoms are usually polyps, small growths within the colon which can be detected on colonoscopy and removed before they can become cancerous. Later symptoms may be unexplained fatigue; change in bowel habits; persistent abdominal discomfort such as gas or cramps; blood in stool; or rectal bleeding.

Diagnosis is made through colonoscopy and sometimes blood testing.

Treatment is done through surgery, which may be minor or extensive; and through chemotherapy with radiation therapy, usually done before and after surgery. Supportive care to keep the patient comfortable is also an important part of treatment.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: fatigue, stomach bloating, stool changes, diarrhea, constipation

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Boil (furuncle)

A furuncle, also called a boil, is infection of a hair follicle. The infection forms under the skin at the root of the hair and may occur anywhere on the body.

The infection is caused by bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus or "staph." Irritation caused by clothes or anything else rubbing the skin can cause the skin to break down and allow bacteria to enter.

Staph bacteria are found everywhere. Frequent and thorough handwashing, and otherwise maintaining cleanliness, will help to prevent its spread.

Most susceptible are those with a weakened immune system; diabetes; and other skin infections.

Symptoms include a single bump under the skin that is swollen, painful, and red, and contains pus.

It is important to treat the boil, since infection can spread into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and sometimes fluid sample from the boil.

Treatment may involve incision and drainage of the infection, followed by creams to apply to the site of the boil and/or a course of antibiotic medicine.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: pink or red facial bump, small facial lump, painful facial bump, marble sized facial lump, constant skin changes

Symptoms that always occur with boil (furuncle): pink or red facial bump

Symptoms that never occur with boil (furuncle): fever

Urgency: Self-treatment

Inflammatory causes

Inflammation of the lower left quadrant of the abdomen can result in a lump.

• Infection: Infection of the large intestine by gastrointestinal organisms can cause the formation of abscesses — or swollen areas of pus.
• Dermatologic conditions: Some inflammatory dermatologic conditions are likely in certain areas of the body. For example, a painful rash caused by a virus known as shingles, can localize to the lower left abdomen and cause lumps and a rash as well as severe pain and itchiness. Furthermore, lumps in the skin or subcutaneous fat, known as cysts and lipomas, can occur in the lower left abdomen.

Trauma

Trauma to the lower abdomen from a direct blow or motor vehicle accident can cause a lump if there is any severe bruising.

Will a lump on the left lower abdomen affect my sexual function or reproductive capacity?

Lumps that involve the reproductive organs of men and women can have a negative effect on sexual function. For example, ovarian cysts in women can often be associated with pain during sexual intercourse. In the case of reproductive cancers that require treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation, you may have to have a conversation with your physician about the future of your reproductive capacity. Fortunately, there have been many strides in the fields of oncofertility and preservation of reproductive capacity during cancer treatment.

Can I still exercise with a lump on my left lower abdomen?

Exercise is acceptable if you are cautious and avoid irritating the abdominal tissues or increasing intra-abdominal pressure. You should always consult your physician before exercising with this condition. Low-intensity or low-impact exercises such as dancing, walking, or water aerobics may be good options. However, activities such as heavy weightlifting can cause you to strain and increase pressure in the abdomen, and thus further bulging.

When will the lump on my left lower abdomen resolve?

This depends on the cause. Lumps that are treated with surgical removal will require a certain amount of time to heal. Cancerous lumps will have a completely different timeline..

Is a lump on the left lower abdomen dangerous?

Complications of hernias, known as incarcerated or strangulated hernias, are considered life-threatening. Emergency care is required. A hernia is incarcerated when it becomes trapped in the abdominal wall. This is dangerous because it can wrap around itself and cut off blood flow from the trapped tissue. When this occurs, this creates a strangulated hernia, which can have life-threatening consequences. Symptoms of these conditions include nausea and/or vomiting, fever, pain that is sudden and increases in intensity, inability to pass gas, severe tenderness when you touch your abdomen or swelling of the abdomen.

Will the lump on my left lower abdomen spread to the other side?

Most lumps in the lower abdomen do not spread in this manner. Even if the lump is due to an infection or inflammation, spreading is unlikely. If you experience lumps that spread throughout your body you should make an appointment with your doctor promptly

Questions your doctor may ask about lump on the lower left abdomen

• What color is the bump?
• How would you describe the location of your abdominal lump/bump the best?
• Do you feel pain when you touch the bump?
• Any fever today or during the last week?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.