Lump in the abdomen A lump in the abdomen is a soft bulge of
tissue or a small, local area of swelling in the belly area. See
also: Abdominal mass Abdominal hernia; Hernia - abdominal;
Abdominal wall defects; Lump in the abdominal wall; Abdominal
wall mass Most often, a lump in the abdomen is caused by a
hernia. An abdominal hernia occurs when there is an area where
the muscles are weak. This allows the internal organs to bulge
through the abdominal wall. A hernia may not appear until after
you strain, lift something heavy, or have a prolonged period of
coughing. There are several types of hernias, based on where
they occur: - Inguinal hernia appears as a bulge in the groin or
scrotum. This type is more common in men than women. -
Incisional hernia can occur through a scar if you have had
abdominal surgery. - Umbilical hernia appears as a bulge around
the belly button. It occurs when the muscle around the navel
doesn't close completely. Other causes of the lump in the
abdominal wall include: - Hematoma (colle