1. Community
  2. Liver and gallbladder
  3. Liver Problems

Liver Adenomas, Haemangiomas and Cysts

Posted , 8 users are following.

chickenpie
chickenpie

Hi I have a previous thread re scans of liver lesions but thought i’d start a new in hope someone else has experience to share...

I was experiencing increasing indigestion for months then a period of intense upper abdomen & back pain. Ultrasound saw a mass in my liver with subsequent MRI. Results eventually came back and say ‘at least 3 types of lesion’ on my liver. Cysts 4cm, Haemangioma 2.8cm and something which is uncharacteristic and ‘most likely’ an adenoma at 4.8cm. 

My GP explained the cysts and haemangioma are harmless but he’s no expertise in adenoma’s and to discuss with the specialist gastro. From what I understand the adenoma’s are common in woman and birth control pill could be a factor. I haven’t taken it for over 4 years. I still have upper ab pain although not as intense. Backache is also frequent and pains in right arm/shoulder/armpit.

It feels like it has already been a long road waiting for scans and tests (NHS UK) and now I have more questions than answers, such as is ‘most likely’ sufficient to be sure it’s not more sinister. I did have an endoscopy also last wk also, no problems seen I and wait biopsy results (treated as separate and arranged prior to the MRI results).

 

Would very much appreciate feedback if anyone has experienced similar.

 

A

4 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

Prev
  • carina62
    carina62 chickenpie

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with about x3 liver cysts at the beginning of the year (found by chance, originally looking for gallstones).  My liver function tests (i've had 2 lots) have been normal but i am waiting for my results on the follow up scan/MRI on the cysts and am hoping that all will be OK.  Thank goodness cancer has been ruled out which of course was the first thing i thought of when they were detected.  I am quite happy to have annual liver scans and 6 monthly liver function tests (in fact I will insist on this) as i don't want to be 'discharged' as such, now that i know about them, i want to be monitored.  Fatty liver was also detected.  I have now made major changes to my lifetyle and hope the cysts will become stable and that i don't get anymore.  Is it possible for liver cysts to decrease in size over time rather than keep growing?
    • chickenpie
      chickenpie carina62

      Posted

      Hi Carina, sorry to hear you've had the stress of these little blighters too!

      I'm glad you're being monitored. I have a cyst, a hemangioma and an a typical hemangioma... And after all the stress of worrying about them I was told 'they're nothing exciting' and they won't be monitored at all. I'd much rather they keep an eye on them to be honest!

      I'm not sure about the size to be honest, but i will ask my GI whenever I see him next.

      My GI felt my pains were not caused by these after all. I had some tests & was diagnosed with inflammatoin of my bowel lining. Had ct enterocylsis which I wait results of to see what happens next.

    • carina62
      carina62 chickenpie

      Posted

      I think i too have a cyst and a couple of hemangioma (i will have to check my report).  My cysts are a few cms in size but i've no idea how long i've had them (one of my GP's said i could have had them from birth).  These cysts are more common than i thought but i guess my main fear is if they grow any larger as i really don't want to be operated on as it would be quite risky.  All i can hope to do is hope things improve with my lifestyle change.  It's funny but my consultant said that if the whole population was scanned, more than half would have liver cysts so there must be a lot of people out there who have them but don't know about them until they start to feel ill ie especially with the fatty liver
    • tnagma
      tnagma carina62

      Posted

      Is it possible you have polycystic liver disease? I have it, and your symptoms sound familiar to mine...very early on.

      Just something to think about...

      Jami

    • carina62
      carina62 tnagma

      Posted

      How did you know you had poly cystic liver disease?  Were you actually told?  If you have more than one cyst in the liver (like me) does that mean you are poly cystic? 
    • Fireid13
      Fireid13 tnagma

      Posted

      Hi do you mind giving me more information or insights on polycystic disease and what are the symptoms of it and what is the criteria for diagnosis.
  • carina62
    carina62 chickenpie

    Posted

    I had my follow up Ultrasound scan and MRI about 3 weeks ago and decided to ring up today to find out why I hadn't heard anything yet so the consultant's secretary told me to hang on while she checked my records.  She then came back to me to say that my consultant was not in today but that she would ask him to write to me Asap.   I hope it's nothing to worry about and wondering how long I would have had to wait for a letter if I hadn't  phoned up this morning?  It's only because I am going on holiday soon that I contacted them as I would like to know my results before I go away.  I tried to find out about a week ago from my GP but she couldn't look on the computer as it was down.  Am getting a bit concerned but not sure if I am just letting my imagination run riot.
    • Fireid13
      Fireid13 carina62

      Posted

      No I would be pretty p*ssed if I were you. Why would they write you a letter anyway wouldn't you just get a call or a follow-up appointment. Are you not in the US. I go get my own reports and I make them burn me a CD within 10 days. I think by law they can wait 30 days to give you results. I'm not going to say you should worry more or less but it's wrong either way what they are doing.
    • Fireid13
      Fireid13 carina62

      Posted

      Apparently they're moderating my reply which I find very odd because I said nothing inappropriate in it and whoever's doing this moderating I believe is biased and may have a conflicting interest with this forum.
    • Fireid13
      Fireid13 carina62

      Posted

      Basically what I said was I think its wrong that they are dragging it out 3 weeks and why would you get a letter and not a follow up appointment or a phone call in the first place. Are you in the UK and not US. I go get my own reports as soon as they're ready with copies of the images on DVD
    • carina62
      carina62 Fireid13

      Posted

      Hello I am in the UK and basically my scans 3 weeks ago were follow up scans from 5 months ago whereby I was found to have liver cysts which were found by chance so my consultant said that it's quite normal to do follow up scans just to make sure everything is stable.  I'm assuming that the delay with my results means 'no news' is that all is ok.  I believe I would have received my results eventually but I rang up yesterday because of the fact I am going away on holiday next week and would like to know if the cysts have remained stable.  Here in the UK, when it comes to test results, if there is anything of concern, you will be contacted within hours or next day.  What are the procedures in the US? 
    • chickenpie
      chickenpie carina62

      Posted

      Hi Carina,

      I can only sympathise. I think the NHS is truly wonderful but waiting for scan results can be torment. In my case the specialists made the decision that they weren't concerened about my hemangiomas and mulitple cysts but neglected to actually tell me, when i did ask for an apmnt I was made to feel i was making a fuss. In fact I was in the same position as you when I had the first ultrasound, i was about to go on holiday. If you don't hear anything then please try relax and enjoy as much as you can & make the most of your break.

      I have just called my own gastro again following a CT 2 weeks ago, not to chase the results but to point out a change and worsening in my symptoms which I'm royally fed up, on going since June. 

      x

       

    • Fireid13
      Fireid13 carina62

      Posted

      Like chickenpie said, if you already know they are cysts and its just recheck to c if they got bigger or even smaller then i wouldn't be concerned. Go have fun, remember i have small cysts and im done worrying about them. Unless of course your symptoms change i.e. pian to that area. Have a good holiday.
    • carina62
      carina62 Fireid13

      Posted

      I received my results from my follow up scan and i have been 'discharged'.  Although i am pleased about this, i still feel that i would like to make an appointment to speak with the consultant about this as i do have a number of questions which i would like the answers to.  I personally would feel happier if i could have an annual scan of my liver but i guess i would have to go private.
  • sentral
    sentral chickenpie

    Posted

    Hi, I was diagnosed with 12cm hepatic liver cyst some months past, but first told about it 18 years ago when it was the size of a marble and to ignore it, it was harmless which they usually are, so forgot about it till now. I have constant dragging ache down right side of the ribcage with a soreness deep inside ribs. Breathing is strained, had chest infection. Cant put on socks or tights, too uncomfortable to bend. As the day goes on I get more  uncomfortable with local pain into right chest and shoulder radiating into armpit.Its exhausting, prevents good quality of life, and is not a situation that anyone can just put up with. I will now be referred to the liver surgeons. If I had known this cyst would grow to this size ( which is unusual) I would have pushed to get it deroofed in 2009 when a nurse at another hospital advised this. My advise is make sure these cysts are monitored, it's only an ultrasound scan needed. 

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.