Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Mass effect
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The mass effect is the effect of a growing mass on surrounding structures. Examples include the consequences of growing tissue, blood or edema in a confined space. This may cause surrounding structures to shift or be compressed.
For example, cancer of the thyroid gland may cause symptoms due to compressions of certain structures of the head and neck; pressure on the laryngeal nerves may cause voice changes, narrowing of the windpipe may cause stridor, pressure on the gullet may cause dysphagia. Blood or edema in the brain may cause structures to shift.
References
References
Template:Skin and subcutaneous tissue symptoms and signs Template:Nervous and musculoskeletal system symptoms and signs Template:Urinary system symptoms and signs Template:Cognition, perception, emotional state and behaviour symptoms and signs Template:Speech and voice symptoms and signs Template:General symptoms and signs
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Search infobox C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]