Mass effect (medicine): Difference between revisions

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==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.
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.


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Revision as of 15:36, 22 January 2012

Mass effect (medicine)

Template:Search infobox Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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.

Surgical removal or debulking may alleviate the symptoms.

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

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