Liver hemangiomas are common non-cancerous growths. They are generally harmless and often discovered incidentally during medical imaging. Their benign nature means they do not typically cause health problems or spread. Understanding them can alleviate concerns for those diagnosed.
Understanding Liver Hemangiomas
A liver hemangioma is a collection of abnormal blood vessels in the liver. It is the most common benign liver lesion. These often present as a tangle of malformed blood vessels, typically fed by the hepatic artery. Their exact cause is unclear, but they may be present from birth, suggesting a congenital origin.
Most liver hemangiomas are small, usually under 4 centimeters. They are often discovered incidentally during imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans. While they can occur at any age, they are most common in adults aged 30-50, and women are more frequently affected.
Are Liver Hemangiomas Cancerous?
A common concern is whether a liver hemangioma is cancerous. Liver hemangiomas are benign tumors, meaning they are non-cancerous. They consist of blood vessels and do not contain malignant cells. Unlike cancerous tumors, hemangiomas do not invade surrounding tissues or spread.
There is no evidence they can transform into liver cancer. This sets them apart from malignant liver tumors like hepatocellular carcinoma, which are aggressive and can spread. While “tumor” can be alarming, here it refers to an abnormal growth, not a cancerous one. Their benign nature means they typically pose no serious health risk.
When Liver Hemangiomas Need Attention
Most liver hemangiomas do not cause symptoms and remain undetected. However, certain circumstances may require medical attention. If a hemangioma grows significantly, typically larger than 4 to 10 centimeters, it might cause symptoms. These can include discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen, a feeling of fullness after eating, or nausea.
Rarely, a large hemangioma could press on nearby organs, blood vessels, or bile ducts, leading to complications. Very rarely, bleeding within the tumor or rupture can occur, which would be a medical emergency. Ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI confirm the presence of a hemangioma and differentiate it from other liver conditions. These techniques help evaluate the growth’s size, location, and characteristics.
Monitoring and Treatment Approaches
Most small, asymptomatic liver hemangiomas require no specific treatment. Periodic monitoring may be recommended, especially for larger hemangiomas, to observe for changes in size or symptoms. This typically involves follow-up imaging studies, with varying frequency.
Intervention is generally considered only when hemangiomas cause significant symptoms or complications. Treatment options are rare and depend on the hemangioma’s size, location, and patient health. These may include surgical removal of the hemangioma or a portion of the liver containing it.
Procedures to reduce blood supply, such as arterial embolization, can also shrink the lesion. Radiation therapy and, very rarely, a liver transplant are considered only when other options are not feasible. The outlook for individuals with liver hemangiomas is generally excellent, as most will not experience problems or require intervention.