39 year old Man with mass on liver

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hello all.  My nerves are shot right now.

I went to Dr with pain under my right rib cage so I was ordered an Ultrasound of my abdomen region.  They found a mass on my liver that measured 2.8 x 2 CM.  I was referred to have a CT scan with dye done and that couldn't get a good look at it.

So my next step is to get an MRI done.  I have myself worried sick.  Most of the stuff I read about benign masses are from women.  

1- can a fatty liver show as a mass?

2- how often do men my age get diagnosed with beign masses on the liver?  Thanks for listening!

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi I'm so sorry that something so scary has brought you to this great website, I know a bit about liver function tests, but very little about liver Masses, are they doing a biopsy, that will show them exactly what it is, and after doing a small amount of research it seems the most common forms of mass found on the liver are benign, so please don't make yourself I'll imagining the worst.

    Do you drink, I know its probably been asked a dozen times but its a problem with the liver.

  • Posted

    This may not be as helpful as you would like, as I am a 67 year old woman.  I've had CT and PET scans this year which have revealed multiple liver cysts.  I know at least one of them is about the size you describe, because I can feel it when I probe below the ribs with my fingers.  I get similar pain like you describe, sometimes so bad I can't sleep at night.  However, blood tests show my liver function is okay and the cysts are benign.  

    I can't answer either of your questions - but maybe your mass is a liver cyst.  I wish you a good outcome of your tests, and although I know it is hard, please try to be positive and not worry.  Stress does terrible things to our bodies - raised blood pressure, etc.  I wish you well.

    • Posted

      Hi Cora good reply, maybe you could explain shown they made the diagnosis of liver cysts, was it biopsy?

      I only ask because I know little about this and others coming on could get some comfort from your reply, I'm sure KJM will

    • Posted

      No biopsy, they were discovered because in February of this year I had an deep vein thrombosis.  Apparently when there is no obvious reason why the DVT occurred, this can be because of an undiagnosed cancer.  So I had a CT scan as a matter of routine.  This revealed nodules on my lungs - so the PET scan ws quickly booked to investigate the nature of the nodules.  I am still being monitored by a chest specialist to make sure they don't grow at all, but they aren't malignant.  The PET scan was a whole body investigation, which also revealed the multiple liver cysts, and also an enlarged heart.  However I'm considered to be reasonably healthy, and apart from the occasional liver pain I get, I'm okay.  You are right about the effects of alcohol - I've never been a drinker, and enjoy a maximum of two or three small glasses of red wine a week.  Staying hydrated is good advice too.  I've also cut down on dairy and red meat, (I used to eat a fair bit of cheese) and I've lost 8kg since August.  I'm sure it all helps.

    • Posted

      Well done, you are taking all the precautions to help you stay healthy and I'm sure its good for others to read your reply, shows its not always bad news, I know not great for you but positive

    • Posted

      Oh sure, the way I look at it, it's been a bonus - nothing really serious has been discovered.  It's likely the nodules are scarring from pneumonia when I was a child.  And with our NHS, I've had all these scans and X-rays, it's been like a free MOT.  I dread to think what the cost would be for private medical care! 

    • Posted

      I think a years wages LOL yea pneumonia does leave scaring but causes no harm in the long term,
  • Posted

    Thank you for replies! Yes I do drink more then I should. I have stopped though for the past 2 weeks.
    • Posted

      Well that's a positive direction to take, you may find while liver is healing you need to stay off as well, once you realise its to be for the good of your liver it will get easier.

      Keep hydrated as well, did they do LFT

  • Posted

    I appreciate all of the great replies!  I got my blood work back today and a copy of my ultrasound and CT scan.

    Bloodwork came back normal.

    CT said this, which i am not sure how to comprehend.  

    Unenhanced images reveal no evidence of abnormal calcification nor of diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver.

    Contrast enhancecd images:

    There is left lower lob subpleural atelectasis versus scarring. 

    There is one, extremely vague, mildly enhancing lesion, which measures 2.8 x 2.0 cm.  This is seen on hepatic arterial phase imaging.  Liver attenuation is normal overall, which makes an area of focal fatty sparing, unlikely.

    Conclusion:

    Extremely difficult to see a lesion in the dome of the liver that corresponds with the lesion seen better on ultrasound, however there is one, extremely vague, mildly hyperenhancing lesion.  This is only seen on a single phase of imaging.  The CT is felt to be indeterminant and further immaging with MRI is recommended.

    Punctate hyperdensity near the gallbladdder neckc, which likely corresponds with gallbladder polyp.

    • Posted

      I'm glad you have the results in black and white and its good you LFTs are normal, now you need to be referred to a hematologist to get a clearer diagnosis.

      Or has that happened already.

    • Posted

      That should be hepatologist, bloody predictor text
    • Posted

      My MRI is scheduled in 5 days.  I'll see where i have to go once I get those results back.  I'm trying to think positively! 

    • Posted

      Yes you do have to be totally positive, no other way to go, I'm sure you will find it something very treatable, could even be something like your cholesterol

  • Posted

    MRI came back completely normal!  What a relief.  I was very worried and had a hard time concentrating on anything else.

    I am a little confused how they thought to see a mass on both Ultrasound and CT scan, but the MRI came back normal.  But I am also very relieved.

    Thanks for all the feedback!

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