Hepatic hemangioma

Hepatic hemangioma is a benign tumor of the liver that is typically filled with blood. It is the most common type of liver tumor and is usually found incidentally during imaging studies for unrelated reasons. Hepatic hemangiomas are generally asymptomatic, but in rare cases, they can cause symptoms or complications due to their size or location within the liver.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of hepatic hemangioma is not well understood. These tumors are believed to be congenital, meaning they are present at birth. There is no clear association with any specific risk factors, although some studies suggest a higher prevalence in women, indicating a possible hormonal influence.

Symptoms

Most hepatic hemangiomas do not cause symptoms and are discovered incidentally. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food

Large hemangiomas can sometimes cause complications, such as:

• Rupture, leading to internal bleeding
• Compression of nearby structures in the liver, causing dysfunction

Diagnosis

Hepatic hemangiomas are often diagnosed during imaging studies performed for other reasons. The most common imaging tests used to identify these tumors include:

• Ultrasound
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to rule out other types of liver tumors, although this is generally avoided due to the risk of bleeding.

Treatment

Treatment for hepatic hemangioma is not usually necessary unless the tumor is causing symptoms or complications. In symptomatic cases, treatment options may include:

• Surgical removal of the tumor
• Embolization, a procedure that blocks the blood supply to the tumor
• Radiation therapy, although this is less common

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with hepatic hemangioma is generally excellent, as these tumors are benign and rarely cause complications. In cases where treatment is required, the outcomes are typically very good.

See Also

• Liver tumor
• Benign tumor
• Hemangioma