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Benign tumors of the liver: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Benign liver tumors occur quite often. As a rule, they are asymptomatic, but in some cases they cause hepatomegaly, discomfort in the right upper quadrant or abdominal hemorrhage. Most often, benign liver tumors are detected accidentally with ultrasound or other methods. Functional liver tests are usually normal or slightly altered. Diagnosis, as a rule, is based on instrumental examination, but sometimes a biopsy is needed. Treatment is usually not required.
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Where does it hurt?
Hepatocellular adenoma
Hepatocellular adenoma is the most important benign tumor that is diagnosed. It occurs most often in women of childbearing age, mainly using oral contraceptives. Most adenomas are asymptomatic, but large tumors can cause discomfort in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. Sometimes adenomas can be complicated by peritonitis and shock as a result of rupture and intra-abdominal bleeding. They are rarely malignant. Diagnosis is most often based on ultrasound or CT results, but usually biopsy is necessary to verify the diagnosis. Adenomas caused by the use of contraceptives often regress after withdrawal of the drug. Some authors recommend resection of subcapsular adenomas.
Focal node hyperplasia
Focal node hyperplasia is a limited hamartoma (gonorrhea), which histologically resembles macronodular cirrhosis of the liver. Diagnosis is usually based on MRI or CT with contrast, but biopsy is sometimes necessary. Treatment is usually not required.
Other benign liver tumors include hemangiomas, which are usually small, occur asymptomatically and occur in 1-5% of adults. As a rule, they represent characteristic highly vascularized formations and are detected by chance in ultrasound, CT or MRI. Tumors, even large ones, are rarely ruptured, their treatment, in general, is not shown. In newborns, large hemangiomas sometimes cause arteriovenous shunting leading to heart failure and sometimes coagulopathy of consumption. Benign adenomas of the bile duct and various rare mesenchymal tumors can also affect the hepatobiliary system.
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