Is a liver hemangioma serious if it is benign?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 06, 2024
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The severity of a patient with a hepatic hemangioma primarily depends on the size of the tumor.

For patients with hepatic hemangiomas, if the size is relatively small, they generally do not experience significant discomfort, and most are discovered incidentally during ultrasound screenings. In such cases, no special treatment is required; just regular follow-up ultrasounds to monitor any changes in size.

However, if the hepatic hemangioma is large, it often leads to rupture, bleeding, or even hemorrhagic shock, which requires attention and should be treated as early as possible. For its treatment, minimally invasive surgery, specifically interventional treatments, are the preferred options and can be very effective.

Other Voices

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What is causing the right-sided distension and pain in a liver hemangioma?

Patients with hepatic hemangioma primarily experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen. Hepatic hemangioma is a benign tumor, but there is a possibility of rupture and hemorrhage, leading to hemorrhagic shock. Therefore, patients with symptomatic hepatic hemangioma should be treated promptly to prevent complications. For patients with hepatic hemangioma who experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen and liver area, early surgical intervention is advised. The primary approach for surgery is interventional surgery, which can achieve better therapeutic effects. Additionally, patients with asymptomatic hepatic hemangioma still require regular follow-up with ultrasound to monitor any changes in the size of the tumor.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How big must a liver hemangioma be to require surgery?

Regarding whether a liver hemangioma requires surgery, size is only one factor that determines the necessity of surgery. Generally, hemangiomas larger than five centimeters have reached the criterion for surgical intervention. However, while the size of the hemangioma is one aspect, we must also consider its location and whether there are any symptoms of compression, as well as the potential for further pathological changes. Therefore, the necessity for surgery is influenced by size, but it is just one of the factors. Of course, the larger the hemangioma, the higher the possibility of requiring surgery.

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Written by Li Hu Chen
Imaging Center
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Can liver hemangioma be definitively diagnosed by ultrasound?

If there is a hemangioma on the liver, it can generally be diagnosed through an ultrasound of the liver and biliary system. This is because hemangiomas have some characteristic appearances on ultrasound imaging. First, it's essential to understand the structure of the liver hemangioma which can be roughly considered as sponge-like, with a structure similar to a sponge containing many fine structures. When ultrasound is applied, this sponge-like structure will demonstrate strong echogenicity, appearing as a large mass with medium to strong echogenic responses. Thus, it is quite evident on ultrasound and has relatively high specificity, so it can generally be diagnosed through ultrasound. If the appearance is not typical, further examination with an enhanced CT scan can be carried out for diagnosis.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What should women with hepatic hemangiomas be cautious about?

Patients with hepatic hemangiomas in women need to pay attention to the following aspects clinically. First, be cautious with physical activity and reduce the intake of too many medications to prevent damage to liver function in patients with hepatic hemangiomas. Second, for smaller hepatic hemangiomas in women, regular imaging examinations such as ultrasound and MRI can be conducted to monitor changes in the hemangiomas. Third, for larger hepatic hemangiomas, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function changes and provide timely treatment. Fourth, the usual diet should be low in fat and high in fiber to prevent the worsening of hepatic hemangioma disease due to hyperlipidemia.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Symptoms of malignant liver hemangioma

Thank you. When deterioration occurs in patients with hepatic hemangiomas, the main complication is the rupture of the vascular tumor leading to hemorrhage. This can potentially cause hemorrhagic shock and result in death. Regarding hepatic hemangiomas, they are benign tumors. When they are small in size, they typically do not cause any noticeable discomfort and do not require special treatment; regular follow-up with ultrasound examination to monitor changes in the condition is sufficient. For larger hepatic hemangiomas, there is a potential risk of rupture and bleeding. Therefore, dietary considerations for patients with hepatic hemangiomas should include avoiding spicy and irritating foods, as well as hard-to-digest foods, to reduce the burden on the liver, which is conducive to recovery of the condition.