Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 5/6/2025

What Could Cause a Lump in the Upper Abdomen Below the Sternum?

A lump below the sternum can be caused by superficial soft-tissue lesions such as a lipoma or cyst, or even infections like tuberculosis affecting the xiphisternal area.. It's important to have any new lump evaluated by a doctor.

answer background

Explanation

There are several possibilities for the cause of a lump in the upper abdomen just below your sternum. One common explanation is a benign soft-tissue lesion such as a lipoma or an epidermal inclusion cyst, which are non-cancerous growths that can form in the skin or just below it. In other cases, infections may be involved. For example, tuberculosis can affect the chest wall near the xiphisternum, leading to inflammation and the formation of a lump in that area. Additionally, conditions affecting the sternum itself can present as a mass felt below the sternum. Doctors typically use imaging techniques such as ultrasound to assess these superficial lesions. The imaging not only helps to define the size and characteristics of the lump but also to rule out more serious issues. Because the nature of these lumps can vary widely, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, appropriate treatment.

(References)

  • Catalano O, Varelli C, Sbordone C, Corvino A, De Rosa D, Vallone G, Wortsman X. A bump: what to do next? Ultrasound imaging of superficial soft-tissue palpable lesions. J Ultrasound. 2020 Sep;23(3):287-300. doi: 10.1007/s40477-019-00415-z. Epub 2019 Nov 30. PMID: 31786796; PMCID: PMC7441113.

  • Grover SB, Arora S, Kumar A, Grover H, Katyan A, Nair DM. "Caught by the Eye of Sound" - Epigastric Swelling due to Xiphisternal Tuberculosis. Pol J Radiol. 2017 Jan 27;82:41-45. doi: 10.12659/PJR.899329. PMID: 28217237; PMCID: PMC5292989.

  • Abid W, Hentati A, Ben Halima G, Rebai M, Lasmar A, Gouiaa N, Frikha I. A diagnostic pitfall of a sternal mass. Clin Case Rep. 2021 Jul 21;9(7):e04418. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.4418. PMID: 34306682; PMCID: PMC8294146.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

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

Lump in abdomen

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

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.