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A liver hemangioma is a noncancerous (benign) tangle of blood veins in the liver. These liver tumors, also known as hepatic hemangiomas or cavernous hemangiomas, are frequent and are believed to affect up to 20% of the population.
The majority of liver hemangiomas are identified during an imaging study for another illness. People with a hepatic hemangioma rarely have symptoms and usually do not require treatment.
Knowing you have a lump in your liver, even if it is benign, might be unsettling. There is no indication, however, that an untreated hepatic hemangioma can develop to liver cancer.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LIVER HEMANGIOMA?
A hepatic hemangioma does not usually cause any signs or symptoms.
The following signs and symptoms may be caused by a hepatic hemangioma:
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Feeling satisfied after having a tiny amount of food (early satiety)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
However, these symptoms are vague and, in most cases, are caused by something else, even if you have a hepatic hemangioma, which is asymptomatic.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LIVER HEMANGIOMA?
It is unknown what causes a hepatic hemangioma to form. According to doctors, hepatic hemangiomas are present at birth (congenital).
A hepatic hemangioma is often characterized by a single aberrant collection of blood vessels smaller than 1.5 inches (approximately 4 cm) broad. Hepatocellular hemangiomas can occasionally be big or numerous. Large hemangiomas can develop in young children, but this is uncommon.
In most people, a hepatic hemangioma does not expand and does not produce any symptoms. However, in a tiny minority of patients, a hepatic hemangioma will become large enough to cause symptoms and necessitate treatment. It's unclear why this occurs.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR LIVER HEMANGIOMA?
The following factors can increase the likelihood of a hepatic hemangioma being diagnosed:
- Your age: A hepatic hemangioma can be identified at any age, but it is most frequent in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
- Your sex: Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with a hepatic hemangioma.
- Pregnancy: Women who have been pregnant are more likely than women who have never been pregnant to be diagnosed with a hepatic hemangioma. The hormone estrogen, which rises during pregnancy, is thought to play a role in the formation of hepatic hemangiomas.
- Hormone replacement therapy: Women who utilize hormone replacement treatment for menopausal symptoms may be more likely than women who do not to be diagnosed with a hepatic hemangioma.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF LIVER HEMANGIOMA?
If a woman is diagnosed with hepatic hemangiomas, she is at risk of difficulties if she becomes pregnant. Some hepatic hemangiomas are thought to become larger due to the feminine hormone estrogen, which rises during pregnancy.
A growing hemangioma can occasionally create signs and symptoms that require treatment, such as pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, abdominal bloating, or nausea. You can still become pregnant if you have a hepatic hemangioma. However, considering the potential problems with your doctor can assist you in making a better educated decision.
If you have a hepatic hemangioma, medications that influence hormone levels in your body, such as birth control pills, may cause an increase in size and difficulties. However, this is debatable. If you're thinking about taking this drug, talk to your doctor about the benefits and hazards.
HOW IS LIVER HEMANGIOMA DIAGNOSED?
The following tests are used to identify hepatic hemangiomas:
- Ultrasound: an imaging technique that produces images of the liver using high-frequency sound waves
- Computerized tomography (CT) scanning: It uses computer processing to make cross-sectional images (slices) of the liver by combining a number of X-ray images collected from various angles around your body.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a technique for creating precise images of the liver using a magnetic field and radio waves
- Scintigraphy: a sort of nuclear imaging that produces images of the liver using a radioactive tracer material
Depending on your situation, further tests may be used.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR LIVER HEMANGIOMA?
You will not require treatment if your hepatic hemangioma is minor and does not create any signs or symptoms. In most circumstances, a hepatic hemangioma will never expand or create any issues. If your liver hemangioma is significant, your doctor may recommend regular check-ups to monitor its growth.
The location and size of the hemangioma, whether you have more than one hemangioma, your overall health, and your preferences all influence liver hemangioma treatment.
Among the treatment options available are:
- Surgery to remove the liver hemangioma: If the hemangioma is easily separated from the liver, your doctor may advise you to have the lump removed surgically.
- Surgery to remove a portion of the liver, including the hemangioma: Surgeons may need to remove a part of your liver along with the hemangioma in some circumstances.
- Procedures to stop the flow of blood to the hemangioma: The hemangioma may cease developing or shrink if there is no blood supply. Blood flow can be stopped in two ways: by tying off the major artery (hepatic artery ligation) or by injecting drugs into the artery to block it (arterial embolization). Because healthy liver tissue may draw blood from other neighboring vessels, it is unaffected.
- Liver transplant surgery: If you have a large hemangioma or several hemangiomas that cannot be treated with other methods, your doctor may consider surgery to remove your liver and replace it with a donor liver.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy damages the hemangioma cells by using high-energy beams such as X-rays. Because safer and more effective treatments are available, this procedure is rarely employed.