Published on: 5/21/2025
What Could a Lump in the Epigastric Region Indicate?
A lump in the epigastric region, the area in the upper middle of your belly, could be due to a growth such as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, an aneurysm, or other conditions like inflammation or hernias, so it should be checked by a doctor.
Explanation
The epigastric region is the upper middle part of your belly, just below your chest. A lump in this area can have several causes. One possibility is a growth from the digestive system, such as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. This type of tumor is not very common, but it can cause a noticeable mass. In some cases, a lump in the epigastric region might also be a sign of an aneurysm, which is an abnormal bulging in a blood vessel, though not every pulsating or hard lump is an aneurysm. Other conditions such as inflammation, hernias, or even calcifications from past injuries can create a lump. It is important to have the lump evaluated by a healthcare provider. Your doctor may use imaging studies like an ultrasound or CT scan to determine what the lump is made of and guide the best treatment.
(References)
Grigorian A, Lin MYC, de Virgilio C. Severe Epigastric Pain with Nausea and Vomiting. Surgery. 2019 May 3:227–37. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-05387-1_20. PMCID: PMC7123429.
Bhambare MR, Pandya JS, Waghmare SB, Shetty TS. Gastrointestinal stromal tumour presenting as palpable abdominal mass: A rare entity. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2015 Jun 27;7(6):98-101. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v7.i6.98. PMID: 26131332; PMCID: PMC4478562.
Moussa O, Al Samaraee A, Ray R, Nice C, Bhattacharya V. A Tender Pulsatile Epigastric Mass is NOT Always an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of Literature. J Radiol Case Rep. 2010;4(10):26-31. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v4i10.458. Epub 2010 Oct 1. PMID: 22470694; PMCID: PMC3303349.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Learn more about symptoms
Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.