Benign liver tumours

Benign liver tumours are common and usually without symptoms (asymptomatic). They tend to be found during imaging tests for unrelated conditions and, although most need no treatment, it is important for doctors to tell these tumours apart from those that are malignant.

Haemangiomas
Haemangiomas are the most common of all benign solid tumours. Around 1% of people may have one of these tumours. Haemangiomas are made up of newly formed but abnormal blood vessels. They can vary in size but are usually less than 5cm (or a couple of inches) and usually remain so once grown.

Haemangiomas are usually picked up on ultrasound scanning. Further imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or microbubble ultrasound may be required to confi rm the diagnosis. A CT scan examines the density (thickness) of your body tissues. It obtains pictures, called tomograms, from different angles around your body using computer processing and can also show very detailed cross-sectioned images of your tissue and organs. With MRI a special tube scanner is used to provide a detailed view of your internal organs.

The majority of haemangiomas do not require long term monitoring or treatment. In rare cases where a tumour becomes overly large, embolisation (a type of treatment aimed at reducing the blood supply to the tumour) and surgery are most commonly used to reduce or remove it.

Focal nodule hyperplasia (FNH)
After haemangiomas, FNH is the most frequent of the benign solid liver tumours. It is commonly found in women aged between 15 and 50. The typical tumour is a small mass or lump commonly measuring between 3cm to 5cm in diameter and is usually found singly. It is characterised by a pale-coloured central scar that in most cases can be seen in CT and MRI scans.

Some people experience pain in their abdomen (the ‘tummy’ or ‘belly’ area between the chest and pelvis) but most do not have clear symptoms. These tumours do not rupture or become malignant and do not need specific treatment.

Adenomas
Adenomas are tumours that can affect a number of organs and originate in your glands. Hepatic adenomas are very rare and are thought to be linked to exposure to certain hormones. On average, these tumours can measure between 8cm to 15cm. Of the benign tumours, they require the most clinical attention because it is possible for them to grow (and press against other organs or tissue), rupture and bleed. If this does happen it can cause severe abdominal pain.

The risk of rupture is increased in pregnancy, so that increased monitoring by ultrasound is advisable. Ultrasound scans involve sending sound waves into the body to create echoes that can be recorded and used to build a picture of the liver’s condition.

In the extremely rare case that an adenoma does become malignant, surgical removal (resection) may be advised.