Liver Lesions

What are liver lesions?

Liver lesions are abnormal growths that develop in your liver. A healthcare provider may refer to the growths as masses or tumors. A liver lesion may not cause changes in your body. You may find out you have one when you have tests for another health issue.

Liver lesions may be benign (noncancerous) or cancerous (malignant). Benign lesions occur for a variety of reasons and are typically not a cause for concern. Malignant lesions (liver cancer) are more serious health issues.

Benign liver lesions

Types of benign liver lesions include:

• Focal nodular hyperplasia. This is a mass of abnormal cells. The mass develops when something increases blood flow in your liver.
• Hemangioma. This is a group of abnormal blood vessels that develop into a cluster or group of blood vessels.
• Liver adenomas. These are benign tumors. They typically develop near the surface of your liver.
• Liver cysts. These are fluid-filled sacs on your liver.

Malignant liver lesions

Malignant (cancerous) liver lesions can start in your liver. Healthcare providers may call this primary liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) are the most common types of primary liver cancer.

But you can have a liver lesion if cancer from another area of your body spreads to your liver. Colorectal cancer and lung cancer are examples of cancers that spread to your liver.

Symptoms of liver lesions

Benign liver lesions typically don’t cause symptoms. Very rarely, a benign liver lesion may get big enough to press on your stomach or gallbladder. For example, liver hemangiomas can grow to be 30 centimeters (about 12 inches). Pressure from a large, benign liver lesion can cause abdominal pain.

Malignant liver lesions cause very different symptoms, including:

• A lump below your rib cage
• Pain on the right side of your abdomen or under your right shoulder
• Yellow skin and whites of eyes from jaundice

Liver lesion causes

Experts aren’t sure what causes benign liver lesions. Some potential causes are:

• Estrogen in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
• Scarring (fibrosis) from chronic liver disease
• Smoking that puts stress on your liver

A malignant liver lesion happens when normal liver cells develop into abnormal cells that multiply uncontrollably. Having cirrhosis or chronic (long-term) hepatitis B and hepatitis C increases your risk.

Complications of liver lesions

Some benign liver lesions grow big enough to cause belly pain. Malignant liver lesions are types of liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma can lead to liver failure.

How doctors diagnose liver lesions

A healthcare provider will ask you to describe your symptoms. They’ll ask questions about your health. They may ask if you’re receiving treatment for a liver disease.

They’ll do a physical exam. They may do certain tests to diagnose liver lesions. Tests may include

• Imaging tests like CT scans, liver ultrasounds or MRI scans
• Blood tests that detect tumor markers
• Liver biopsy

Treatments for liver lesions

Treatment is different for benign and cancerous liver lesions. You may have surgery to remove a large benign liver lesion that causes symptoms. Potential treatments for malignant liver lesions may include:

• Ablation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hepatectomy (liver resection)
• Liver transplantation

Can a liver heal a liver lesion on its own?

Your liver is the only organ that can make new cells (regenerate) to replace liver cells. For example, if you have surgery to remove part of your liver, it can make enough new liver cells to restore it. And your liver may be able to heal some of the damage from liver disease that causes benign liver lesions. But your liver can’t heal a malignant liver lesion.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Both types of liver lesions can cause belly pain. Pain in your belly that lasts for more than a few days is a reason to talk to a healthcare provider.

Can liver lesions be prevented?

There’s no known way to prevent benign liver lesions. Malignant liver lesions happen when conditions like cirrhosis damage your liver cells. You can keep your liver in good health by:

• Avoiding viral infections that lead to hepatitis
• Avoiding things that put stress on your liver like alcohol and tobacco
• Eating well by planning meals that are a balance of fruits, vegetables and lean protein

What can I expect if I have a liver lesion?

The outlook for a benign liver lesion is good. These lesions rarely grow large enough to cause symptoms. The situation is very different if you have a malignant liver lesion (liver cancer). In some cases, treatment can cure hepatocellular cancer. Bile duct cancer in your liver is more challenging to treat. If you have liver cancer, ask your healthcare provider to explain what you can expect.