Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment for Benign Liver Tumors
A benign tumor is a growth made up of abnormal but noncancerous cells. They typically don’t grow or spread to other parts of the body, but, if they do grow, they do so very slowly and rarely cause any major health risks.
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To schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with a UH liver specialist, call 216-844-8500, Option #1 or schedule online.In some cases a benign tumor may be located in an area where it presses on nearby organs or blood vessels, impairing the function of those structures. In these situations, if the patient is experiencing symptoms, the tumor may be surgically removed and, in general, will not grow back.
Benign tumors in the liver are very common. Also sometimes referred to as masses or lesions, most benign liver tumors do not cause symptoms and don’t require treatment. In fact, most go undetected unless discovered during an abdominal imaging exam for another condition.
Although most benign liver tumors do not cause any symptoms, some patients may experience internal bleeding or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, where the liver is located. In these cases, surgery may be recommended. Although the need for surgery is rare, when it is indicated, the UH team of liver surgeons has the experience and the expertise to surgically remove benign liver tumors that are causing problems for the patient.
Types of Benign Liver Tumors
The three most common types of benign liver tumors are:
- Focal Nodular Hyperplasias (FNH)
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The second most common type of benign liver tumor, FNH most often develops in young women. Like hemangiomas, these tumors rarely cause symptoms or require treatment. However, if very large, they can lead to complications such as bleeding and rupture.
- Hemangiomas
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A a mass of abnormal blood vessels in the liver. Hemangiomas are the most common type of benign liver tumor and occur more frequently in women than men. Unless this type of tumor is very large and/or pressing on other structures, it usually has no symptoms and does not require treatment.
- Hepatocellular Adenomas
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The least common type of benign liver tumor, adenomas occur most often in women of childbearing age and may be associated with the use of high-estrogen oral contraceptives. Although liver adenomas rarely cause symptoms, your doctor may advise discontinuing birth control pills or estrogen therapy to shrink the tumor and prevent further growth.
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