Published on: 4/7/2025
An abdominal lump during pregnancy can be caused by benign tumors like abdominal wall desmoid tumors, cysts related to maternal or fetal tissues, or other soft tissue masses. If you notice a lump, it’s important to have it evaluated by your healthcare provider.
There are a few possible reasons you might notice an abdominal lump during pregnancy. One possibility is an abdominal wall desmoid tumor, which is a noncancerous growth that can occur in the muscles or connective tissues, often influenced by the hormonal changes in pregnancy. In other cases, the lump could be due to cysts—these might arise from the maternal tissues or even be related to fetal abdominal tumors and cysts, although the latter are less common. Other benign soft tissue masses like lipomas (fatty tumors) might also appear during pregnancy as your body changes. The lump may be painless or cause discomfort, and if it changes size, becomes painful, or is associated with other symptoms like redness or tenderness, it is important to get evaluated. A healthcare provider can arrange imaging studies, like an ultrasound, to determine the nature of the lump and decide whether any treatment or further monitoring is necessary. Getting a prompt evaluation helps ensure both your health and that of your baby.
(References)
Awwad J, Hammoud N, Farra C, Fares F, Abi Saad G, Ghazeeri G. Abdominal Wall Desmoid during Pregnancy: Diagnostic Challenges. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2013;2013:350894. doi: 10.1155/2013/350894. Epub 2013 Jan 3. PMID: 23346436; PMCID: PMC3549390.
Cass DL. Fetal abdominal tumors and cysts. Transl Pediatr. 2021 May;10(5):1530-1541. doi: 10.21037/tp-20-440. PMID: 34189111; PMCID: PMC8192983.
Stemmer SM, Gomes C, Cardonick EH. A Case of Painful Growing Abdominal Wall Mass during Pregnancy Requiring Resection in the Second Trimester. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Jan 8;2024:5881260. doi: 10.1155/2024/5881260. PMID: 38229587; PMCID: PMC10789513.
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