When Should I Worry About Benign Liver Tumors?

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, responsible for filtering toxins, storing energy and producing important proteins. Unfortunately, it is also susceptible to a variety of diseases, including cancer and benign tumors. While benign liver tumors are not cancerous, they can still cause significant health problems if left untreated.

Dmitri Alden, MD, FACS, discusses when you should worry about benign liver tumors and what you can do to address them.

What Are Benign Liver Tumors?

Benign liver tumors are noncancerous growths that develop in the liver. They are relatively common, with over 20% of the population having at least one benign liver tumor. There are several types of benign liver tumors, including hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs).

Hemangiomas

Hemangiomas are the most common type of benign liver tumor, accounting for up to 7% of all liver tumors. They are made up of blood vessels and are usually asymptomatic.

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia

FNH is the second most common type of benign liver tumor, accounting for up to 3% of all liver tumors. It is characterized by the presence of normal liver tissue mixed with abnormal tissue.

Hepatic (Hepatocellular) Adenomas

HCAs are the least common type of benign liver tumor, accounting for less than 1% of all liver tumors. They are composed of liver cells that have grown abnormally.

When Should You Worry About Benign Liver Tumors?

With most benign liver tumors, symptoms do not occur unless the tumor becomes larger in size. This can put pressure on the stomach, causing nausea, feeling full/bloated or abdominal pain. In rare cases, benign liver tumors can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fever or weight loss. The biggest risk with benign liver tumors is rupture with internal bleeding, which can result in the need for emergency surgery. This is especially true for larger tumors, as they are more likely to rupture.

In addition, there is a risk that a benign liver tumor can turn cancerous, although this is rare. If you have been diagnosed with a benign liver tumor, Dr. Alden will monitor its growth with periodic imaging tests. If the tumor is small and not causing any symptoms, it may not need to be treated. However, if the tumor is large or causing health problems, he may recommend surgery to remove it.

NYC Benign Liver Tumor Treatment

The treatment options for benign liver tumors depend on the size and location of the tumor, as well as the symptoms it is causing. In some cases, no treatment is necessary, and the tumor can be monitored with regular imaging tests. In other cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor. Newer laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery techniques have made liver tumor removal less invasive and easier to recover from. Dr. Dmitri Alden is renowned for his expertise in liver cancer and tumors. When liver tumor removal surgery is necessary, Dr. Alden is known for his less invasive and “bloodless” options with robotics and other cutting-edge surgical techniques.

While most benign liver tumors are asymptomatic and do not require treatment, they can cause significant health problems if left untreated. If you have been diagnosed with a benign liver tumor, Dr. Dmitri Alden is an expert in liver tumor removal surgery and can provide the latest treatment options to ensure the best possible outcome. Contact his office in NYC for a consultation.