Other liver tumours

Other liver tumours

Benign liver tumors are more common than liver cancers and are often found incidentally during imaging tests conducted for other health issues. These tumors are generally asymptomatic and do not cause noticeable symptoms, making them difficult to detect without routine imaging. They are typically discovered through ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI when evaluating other conditions.

Among the various types of benign liver tumors, some of the most common include hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and hepatocellular adenomas. Hemangiomas are the most frequent benign liver tumors and are composed of clusters of blood vessels. Focal nodular hyperplasia is characterized by a benign growth of liver tissue, often with a central scar, while hepatocellular adenomas are solid, benign tumors that can grow from liver cells.

Although these benign tumors generally do not present symptoms, they may cause discomfort or complications if they grow large enough. Symptoms may arise if the tumor becomes large enough to press on nearby organs or if it causes discomfort. In such cases, the growth of the tumor may be detected through imaging studies performed for other reasons.

Surgical resection of benign liver tumors is typically considered when the tumor is on the liver's surface, posing a risk of rupture, or if it exceeds 5 cm in size or is rapidly enlarging. Surgery is also indicated if the tumor causes symptoms or complications, such as pain or discomfort, to prevent potential rupture and to alleviate symptoms.

In summary, while benign liver tumors are more common than malignant ones and usually do not cause symptoms, they can be detected through imaging tests. Surgical intervention is necessary in certain cases, particularly if the tumor is large, rapidly growing, or symptomatic. Proper management and monitoring are essential to ensure the health and well-being of individuals with these tumors.