Liver Tumors

Discovering a liver tumor can be stressful, but it's important to remember that not all tumors are cancerous. At North Shore Gastroenterology, our specialists provide accurate diagnostics and expert support to help you understand your condition.

A medical illustration showing a cross-section of the liver with various types of tumors, including hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

What are Liver Tumors?

A liver tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the liver. These growths can be broadly categorized into two types: benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous).

These are quite common and do not spread to other parts of the body. In many cases, they are harmless and require no treatment other than periodic monitoring to ensure they remain stable.

These are cancerous growths that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other organs. Primary liver cancer starts in the liver, while metastatic liver cancer spreads to the liver from another part of the body, like the colon or breast.

Distinguishing between a harmless nodule and a serious condition requires specialized knowledge. The goal is to provide you with accurate answers quickly to determine the most appropriate course of action for your health.

Common Types of Liver Tumors

Understanding the specific type of tumor is the first step in management.

Benign Liver Tumors:

A hemangioma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels. Most are small, harmless, and do not need treatment.

Typically found in women, it is the second most common benign tumor and rarely causes symptoms or complications.

Less common than hemangiomas or FNH, these are often linked to the use of birth control pills or estrogen supplements. Because they carry a small risk of rupturing or turning cancerous, they are monitored more closely or sometimes removed.

Malignant Liver Tumors:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer, often associated with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.

A type of cancer that develops in the bile ducts inside the liver.

Cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver is more common than primary liver cancer.

Symptoms of Liver Tumors

Most benign liver tumors don't cause symptoms and are often found by chance during imaging tests for other conditions.

When symptoms do appear, it is usually because a tumor has grown large enough to press on nearby organs. These symptoms may include:

  • Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
  • A Palpable Mass: A lump that can be felt under the rib cage.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Feeling of fullness.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosing Liver Tumors

Since benign and malignant tumors can appear similar on initial scans, precise imaging is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

To evaluate a liver mass, your doctor may recommend the following tests:

A multiphase CT scan can often distinguish between different types of tumors based on how blood flows through them.

Magnetic resonance imaging provides highly detailed images of soft tissues and is excellent for characterizing liver lesions.

Liver function tests and specific tumor markers (like Alpha-Fetoprotein or AFP) may be checked, as they can be elevated in the presence of liver cancer.

In some cases where imaging is inconclusive, a small needle is used to take a sample of the tumor tissue for examination under a microscope.

Treating Liver Tumors

Treatment depends entirely on the type of tumor, its size, and your overall health.

Common treatment strategies include:

Most small, asymptomatic benign tumors, such as hemangiomas or FNH, do not require treatment. However, your doctor may recommend periodic imaging to monitor the tumor for any growth.

If a hepatic adenoma is linked to hormonal contraceptives, stopping the medication may cause the tumor to shrink.

This procedure blocks the tumor's blood supply, causing it to shrink.

Destroying tumor cells using heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation) without the need for traditional surgery.

If a benign tumor is large and causing pain, or if there is a risk of it becoming cancerous, surgical removal may be recommended. For malignant tumors, surgery often offers the best chance for a cure.

Find Care for Liver Tumors in Westlake or Brooklyn, OH

Whether you need reassurance about a benign tumor or expert care for a more complex condition, North Shore Gastroenterology is here to help. We offer the specialized knowledge and advanced technology needed to effectively manage liver tumors.

Contact us today at (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online to schedule a visit.