I may need a liver resection surgery to remove a FNH tumor that grew substantially in 5 yrs..
Posted , 4 users are following.
In 2009 or so I was told that I had 2 small tumors in my liver that were considered focal nodular hyperplasia based o texture and size, they are non cancerous. They were simply benign and I would monitor them. Fast forward to 2017, I had not scanned them since 2012 or so due to caring for other health issues. As of recently they were re imaged as a routine workup and to see if they changed or were causing some symptoms from a recent fainting, vomiting, weakness, and pain/discomfort scenario.
At this time, instead of having 2 harmless benign tumors, I have 1 very large benign tumor. As I await the specialist who is getting my films re read, and consulting for me I have some questions.
If a tumor grows substantially in 5 years, but has the criteria of a benign tumor is it really necessary to have a major surgery?
Has anyone here had a tumor that was "harmless" removed, where the tumor was found inside the liver and outside attached or around it?
Below are measurements and a small description of said tumor.
I would like to inquire if anyone has ever come across such a situation, and if there is any friendly advice out there.
I have had multiple other surgeries and I am not at liberty to go through this unless it is dire at this time, and I am unsure just how fast a tumor can grow?
encapsulated ovoid mildly lobulated mass within the lateral aspect of the right hepatic lobe (focal nodular hyperplasia-FNH allegedly)
measures 7.2cm craniocaudal by 3.8 cm left to right dimension , it measures 6.3 cm by 3.4 greatest axial dimension…relative increased hyper intensity centrally within this lesion which likely corresponds to a central scar.
This seems to be a large tumor compared to the past where two measured at 3.2 cm at largest side just 2012 0r 2013.
0 likes, 6 replies
AlexandriaGizmo jackie_77463
Posted
Hi Jackie, I have absolutely no idea if surgery is the only solution for you but I thought I would offer my support because you hadn't had any answers yet after four hours.
It will of course be up to your liver specialist to sit down and discuss the options with you, obviously the main thing to remember is your mass is not malignant, that's great news even though its grown quite a bit.
When do you go back to see someone.
Can I also ask your main reasons for not wanting surgery other than the normal reasons 90% of the population don't want surgery.
Hopefully someone who has been down this route will come on and give a more informed answer
jackie_77463 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Hi,
I have had so many surgeries that if I can avoid adding to more stress on my body it is better. I had a major spine surgery after a trauma in 2013, 2 shoulder surgeries, endometriosis surgery 2x, an appendectomy, a wrist surgery, and countless injections and procedures under anesthesia etc. Currently I am in middle of recovering and trying to get back to a normal and productive quality of life after the last few surgeries but I am deemed disabled "temporary long term" and it is quite stressful. I am 33.
When I do get to speak to surgeon that was my concern..the difference between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery laparoscopically, I would of course be less concerned about the laparoscopic route as I have done that in other scenarios and it heals way faster and has less complications. I guess my fear was, if it is not in an easy to approach area or the size would be better approached by "open surgery", what I read about the recovery in those cases is slightly nerve wrecking.
I just began a small business last year and just enrolled in college again last year and had gotten on the road to taking my life back after dealing with (which I am still dealing with) a lawsuit nightmare from injuries sustained in 2013. I would lose a great deal of income during and after this surgery depending on the time frame for recovery.
Every single move I make is another delay in my future, but if this can potentially save my life or any random issue from arising if I leave it there, then I guess I am just preparing myself and I am going to remove it it is just a matter of when. Thank you for taking the time to read and reply, I do have more of a peace of mind.
k95043 jackie_77463
Posted
I can't speak to your exact condition, but I had a very large symple cyst removed laproscopically with resection from my right lobe 2 weeks ago and feel great. The cyst at its largest was 22cm and 7 pounds. The key to a quick recovery is keeping the surgery laproscopic. Mine was supposed to be a simple unroofing but turned into removing the majority by resection. I was a little concerned when I woke up but heard an amazing fact---if you lose 1/2 of your
Loved it will grow back in 6 weeks!! Wow! I only lost a little and am in less pain now than before the surgery (I had severe back pain). Really the only side effect is being tired from a 4 hour surgery and healing trying to take place.
All the best to you!
jackie_77463 k95043
Posted
Hi, (I pasted my concerns here from my reply to another as well but I would like to add that yours is bigger than mine and in same area so this answers part of my concerns "can it be laparoscopic" was a primary question in my mind..deep sigh of relief)!!!
I have had so many surgeries that if I can avoid adding to more stress on my body it is better. I had a major spine surgery after a trauma in 2013, 2 shoulder surgeries, endometriosis surgery 2x, an appendectomy, a wrist surgery, and countless injections and procedures under anesthesia etc. Currently I am in middle of recovering and trying to get back to a normal and productive quality of life after the last few surgeries but I am deemed disabled "temporary long term" and it is quite stressful. I am 33.
When I do get to speak to surgeon that was my concern..the difference between open surgery and minimally invasive surgery laparoscopically, I would of course be less concerned about the laparoscopic route as I have done that in other scenarios and it heals way faster and has less complications. I guess my fear was, if it is not in an easy to approach area or the size would be better approached by "open surgery", what I read about the recovery in those cases is slightly nerve wrecking.
I just began a small business last year and just enrolled in college again last year and had gotten on the road to taking my life back after dealing with (which I am still dealing with) a lawsuit nightmare from injuries sustained in 2013. I would lose a great deal of income during and after this surgery depending on the time frame for recovery.
Every single move I make is another delay in my future, but if this can potentially save my life or any random issue from arising if I leave it there, then I guess I am just preparing myself and I am going to remove it it is just a matter of when. Thank you for taking the time to read and reply, I do have more of a peace of mind.
Beenthruit jackie_77463
Posted
Hi
I had open cholecystectomy in February. They found a cancerous growth on histology, so I had a liver resection (section 5) five weeks later.
I would say, if it possible to have surgery, that it's better to have the tumour removed asap irrespective of whether it's benign or malignant. A tumour does not have to be cancerous to cause problems. A benign tumour can cause blockages and affect the working of the liver. The tumour is growing, so even if your symptoms are mild now, that may not be the case in a month.
Having had this surgery (open through same incision as cholecystectomy) I would say it's not as bad as you may think. I was on HDU for four days, then on a ward for three days, then discharged with a drain in situ. I'm 67.
Yes I had pain from the incision but they give you analgesics and moving around was difficult for a few weeks. I suffered badly from loss of appetite. I slept in an armchair as it was more comfortable than a bed and didn't wear a bra for weeks nor anything with a waistband. However, I'm still here. I walk every day. My appetite is back. I'm back to sleeping in a bed, wearing bras and back into jeans. My life is almost back to normal after six months, so I feel it was worth it.
The good news is that the liver will regenerate within weeks and they can remove surprisingly large bits of it without long lasting issues.
Hope this helps!
jackie_77463 Beenthruit
Posted
Thank you so much for sharing that personal story