Mass or lump in middle upper abdomen, pancreatic cancer or sarcoma?

Some weeks ago I discovered by accident a lump or mass about 2-3 inches above the navel, in the middle of the abdomen, which had no feeling if not touched, but was very tender--painful when pressed. A few days later (and since then) it was not longer tender: if pressed it doesn't hurt at all. I have no other symptoms and am very well, except the rectum often has some strange feelings, not pain, but as if the rectum was trying to open? really don't know how to describe it. The hard mass or lump is still there in the belly (not very deep but completely inside and invisible).

What could this be? Could cancer of the pancreas of sarcoma or any other cancer be tender in the beginning then become non-tender?  

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  The pancreas is located very deep in the abdomen, and pancreatic masses are usually not palpable unless they attain a very large size.  That lump can be a mass coming from any of the structures in that area of the abdomen (e.g. intestines, stomach, liver), or it could simply be impacted fecal material in your large intestines. You may want to have it checked by a doctor.  An abdominal ultrasound or a CT scan may also be warranted.  It's too early to definitely say that the mass is cancerous, without having additional tests done.  The intermittent tenderness you experienced when pressing the mass is not a specific symptom for any type of cancer.

[emar]

Fernando, thank you very much for your reply. Now it's get me more worried: a larger area of my abdomen, to the left and upper left of my belly button, feel as if there's something just inside the abdominal wall, which is tender now. Mainly it's about 3" to the upper left of the belly button, but the nearby area are all tender, including just under the left rib. I feel as if the abdominal wall inside was a little harder than normal (than my right side). When I stand up from sitting position I feel as if there's some growth in left abdomen. If I stretch my body the belly feels as if I just had an exercise of the abdominal muscles, but it's definitely not, because I didn't do any exercise or whatsoever to make the muscle tense, and the tenderness of the area is definitely not normal.

I will see a doctor but not sure what doctor I should see, specialty-wise. Any advice and opinions will be most appreciated.

[snakegirl]

i have the same kinda thing its a fair sized lump above my belly button and slight pain when pushed on and i have sharp pains around my left ribs and down that come and go but mainly around my ribs i continue to have sharp pains as if being poked with a sharp knife? its hard to explain but ive been to the dr a few times and they all say its fine and i got blood tests and they came back normal and im worried that somethings wrong and their not paying too much attention to it.

[Mltlisa]

I have a large mass in my abdomen above my belly button clear up to my breast bone it's hard no direct pain. It makes sitting upright for any lengeth of time uncomfortable if I ear or drink anything even water I get bloated and it protrudes out even more. When I lay down you can see this rounded mound. It's gross. My dr said it's some type of a hernia that can't be operated on. We are worried that's it's cancer but everyone keeps telling me that it would have shown up in my regular blood test. Our insurance will not pay for a second opinion out of the area. Don't know what to do or who to believe

[jean824]

My partner as a very large lump above navel the size of  two great fruits it is not a nice sight the doc seem to ignore it he is alcoholic but now only drinks now and then he doesn't eat for weeks and then all of a sudden this week wont stop eating  then nothing He thinks he as pancreatic cancer  he is very thin and his eyes are manic he will not go to the doctors but was at the hospital last week about his liver condition and is going for a scan and a camera down his thought this is for other things nothing to do with the lump