What is a liver cyst and what should be paid attention to?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on January 07, 2025
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Liver cysts are a type of benign tumor, and most liver cysts are caused by congenital factors. Therefore, when liver cysts occur, they are usually small in size and generally do not show obvious symptoms. Patients do not feel any discomfort, and most are found during ultrasound examinations. At this point, no special treatment is required, just regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in size. For patients with larger liver cysts, there might be a sensation of pain in the liver area, and it could even affect liver function, leading to abnormal liver functions. Therefore, it is advisable to undergo surgery as early as possible. Only through surgical removal can a cure be achieved, which can significantly improve the quality of life of the patient.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How to deal with malignant liver cysts?

If a liver cyst becomes malignant, it may present with a rapid increase in size in a short period, fast growth, and possibly pain in the liver area. It may also affect liver function, leading to clinical symptoms like ascites and jaundice. Therefore, it is crucial to address a liver cyst as soon as possible. The only treatment method is surgical removal to achieve a cure, so it is essential to complete relevant examinations promptly, exclude contraindications for surgery, and proceed with surgical treatment as soon as possible. After surgery, patients still need regular follow-up checks such as ultrasound and CT scans to assess the condition periodically, prevent recurrence and metastasis. Diet-wise, it is also recommended to consume foods high in protein to supplement the body's needed albumin for better disease control.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is inflammation of a liver cyst always accompanied by severe fever?

If a patient with a liver cyst experiences inflammation, and presents with a high fever indicating a relatively severe condition, it is crucial to start treatment with antibiotics to combat the infection as soon as possible. Only after the inflammation is under control can the condition be alleviated. If the inflammation is not controlled in time, it may develop into a liver abscess, which is a serious and critical condition, thus early treatment is crucial. Moreover, patients should also avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory irritation, which can better facilitate the recovery from the condition. The diet should include more protein-rich foods such as eggs, lean meats, and fish, which can provide the necessary energy and improve resistance, beneficial for the recovery of the condition.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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"Liver cyst benign" means what?

Liver cysts are benign and are described through ultrasonography and CT imaging. Liver cysts are a type of benign tumor and typically do not cause any noticeable discomfort. Most are discovered incidentally during ultrasound examinations. Therefore, when liver cysts are identified, there is generally no cause for extreme concern, nor is there a need for special treatment; regular ultrasound follow-ups are sufficient. However, in some patients, if the liver cysts grow large, they may cause pain in the liver area or even affect liver function. In these cases, surgical removal is necessary to achieve better treatment outcomes. Thus, the treatment for liver cysts primarily depends on their size.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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A liver cyst of 0.7 millimeters is not serious.

At this time, the volume of the liver cyst is relatively small and the condition is mild. Generally, patients with small liver cysts do not exhibit obvious symptoms and are most often discovered during ultrasound examinations. At this stage, no special treatment is required; routine follow-up ultrasound to dynamically observe changes in volume will suffice. Of course, for patients with large liver cysts, they may experience pain in the liver area, symptoms of compression, or even effects on liver function. Therefore, early surgical removal should be considered for treatment in order to cure the condition effectively, which can greatly improve the prognosis and quality of life for the patient. Post-surgery, regular check-ups are also necessary.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can a liver cyst turn into cancer?

Liver cysts may potentially become malignant. Although liver cysts are mostly caused by congenital genetic factors and generally do not show obvious symptoms—often only discovered during ultrasonographic examinations—they do not usually require special treatment. However, it is possible for liver cysts to turn cancerous, thus they should be taken seriously. Regular follow-up ultrasound examinations are necessary to monitor changes in size. If a cyst shows a significant increase in size over a short period, it is crucial to pay attention and to consider surgical removal as early as possible to achieve better treatment outcomes. Additionally, attention should also be given to patients with large liver cysts; early surgical intervention might be necessary, as a larger size may cause pain in the liver area and lead to liver function abnormalities, among other issues. Therefore, these symptoms should be taken seriously.