Liver hemangioma is a noncancerous mass in the liver caused by tangled blood vessels. These are also called hepatic hemangiomas, usually diagnosed during an imaging examination done for some other condition.
People with liver hemangioma may rarely show any symptoms and usually don't require any treatment. And no evidence shows that untreated liver hemangioma could lead to liver cancer.
Some signs of liver hemangioma are nausea, vomiting, pain and discomfort in the upper right abdomen, and after eating a little food, the person feels full (early satiety). However, these symptoms are nonspecific and may result from other conditions, even when you have a liver hemangioma.
Talk to the doctor when some persistent symptoms worry you.
The cause of liver hemangioma is unknown, but doctors consider it is present since birth (congenital). A liver hemangioma happens as an individual abnormal collection of blood vessels smaller than 1.5 inches (about 4 centimeters) wide, and occasionally, it is bigger or in multiples. Large hemangiomas are rare but usually found in young children. Typically, a liver hemangioma does not grow or cause any symptoms, but it extends to cause symptoms and require treatment in a few conditions.
The reasons for liver hemangioma risk are:
• Age, as it is most common to diagnose the condition in people ages 30 to 50.
• Women have an increased risk than are men to develop this condition
• Pregnant women are more prone to this condition as the hormone estrogen that rises during pregnancy play a role in liver hemangioma growth.
• Hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms also raise the risk.
Pregnant women diagnosed with liver hemangiomas face a greater risk of complications. Female hormone estrogen increases during pregnancy, causing some liver hemangiomas to grow larger. However, a growing hemangioma may rarely cause symptoms that require treatment. Women with liver hemangioma must discuss the possible complications with their pregnancy to make informed choices. Medications like birth control pills that affect hormone levels in your body also raise difficulties in this condition. Consult your doctor before using these medications.
Patient Experience
Chief Arthur Mbanefo, 91 years old, former ambassador to the UN and Representative of Nigeria, thanks the American Hospital Dubai for the excellent medical treatment and personalized care he received.
