When a lump is felt in the upper abdomen, if it is gastric cancer, it is often at an advanced stage. The lump formed by gastric cancer is mostly located in the upper abdomen or above the umbilicus, and is often hard in texture, with an irregular surface and unclear borders. The patient will usually vomit a lot, and the vomit will be a sour-smelling food.
However, a mass felt in the upper abdomen is not necessarily stomach cancer. A mass may also be felt in the abdomen in the following conditions: gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor, high intestinal obstruction, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic pseudocysts, acute cholecystitis, amebic or schistosomal granuloma, etc.
To determine the exact location of the abdominal mass, the organs involved, and the nature and cause of the mass, physicians often perform a variety of laboratory and imaging tests, such as dual X-ray air-barium imaging, ultrasound, CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopy. If a mass is found in the upper abdomen, it is important to pay attention to it and seek medical attention in time for a clear diagnosis.