Liver lesions -hemangiomas

[MCS]

I've had a cough since December, for which I had seen my gp. He x ray my chest and was clean. the cough continues, only at night or when I move too much- weird

Therefore I had a pet ct with contrast done and my lung was clean.

HOWEVER, the report said that I had two hepatic (liver)lesions unchanged and consitent with hemangiomas. Sizes: 1.5cm and .9cm

By the way, I have had no symptoms-bleeding, pain

Was I surprised! Apparently they had also been found in a 2007 scan but I was never informed.

So I called my onc. He said that these were benign and should not worry about it and explained that they were hemangiomas.

The doctor said it was not necessary to monitor annually but I believe I should

Do you know how I should monitor these things?

I was going to ask to add the liver when I have my annual breast MRI.

How do I know, before it's too late, when these have become cancer?

Are there any precautions? symptoms? supplements?

Thank you

BTW- You cannot imagine how happy I felt when I saw many of your names here. Thrilled, you couldn't give me a better gift!

Maria
mcs

[Rich66]

You could keep an eye on things with a liver function test. You might be able to ask for tumor markers or circulating tumor cell test. I suppose you could push for a needle biopsy. Maybe a second opinion/read of scan? Just thinking out loud..err..in text.

[ElaineM]

Yes. A liver function test which is normally part of a comprehensive Blood Chemistry test would be good.
Go to Lab Tests Online (I forgot the url. You can look it up.) and see what kind of lab tests would monitor your problem.
Good luck. Take good care of yourself.

[chrisy]

Hi Maria,
Believe it or not, I'm actually going to side with your oncologist. Hemangiomias are not cancer, nor do they "become" cancer. So absent symptoms, I wouldn't worry about it. Remember, these have actually been there since 2007, unchanged. And I believe they are easily differentiated from cancer - that is, they would not generally misread one as the other.

You can easily add liver function tests to your follow up - but again, this is not really an effective way to diagnose cancer - my lft's were normal when I was diagnosed with extensive liver mets - and they can fluctuate based on diet, medications etc.

It's up to you - I know how important it is to be sure you've covered all the bases. But there's also something to be said for "if your oncologist is happy, you should be happy"

Take care
Chris

[PinkGirl]

Hi
I had 11 liver hemangeoma's. I had them CT'd and MRI'd and now
it's a done deal. My onc. told me that they are basically a clump
of crooked blood vessels that don't ever become malignant.

[Jackie07]

MCS,

I had a liver hemangioma diagnosed last year as well. It was a very scary feeling when a CT was ordered and then followed with an Ultrasound. "They must have found something!" I said to myself.

But after some more digging, I realized that the two scans used were standard procedure to distinguish a hemangioma. A hemangioma would show on CT but not on Ultrasound.

It's basically the same thing as a 'port wine-stain' type of birth mark on any other part of the body. They are clusters of blood vessels and the one in the liver seems to have something to do with too much estrogen.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/liv...ngioma/ds01125

[MCS]

Thank you for your prompt information.

As part of my full chem panel, various levels of billirubin, albumin, etc are measured.

I do not know what a circulating tumor cell test but I will research tomorrow.

Thank you for the vote of confidence that they are not malignant.

I, and I think others, always feel so insecure as to what else is new today and what do I need to know now and research now. And you want to take an active role is delaying or preventing other things from happening - tests, diet, supplements and so on. you know what I mean.

So thank you all!

God bless
maria

[Rich66]

Sounds like this is nothing to worry about. You mght ask if an MRI or Ultrasound is of any benefit since others here seem to have had them in addition to CT...although you have essentially been watching them since '07.
Circulating tumor cell test might not help with this but I would be curious if your onc would do one anyway. Doesn't hurt to ask..even if inappropriate at this point...gets across your desire to be proactive.

[hutchibk]

When I was initially dxed, a CT showed something on my liver. We weren't able to get a clear MRI of it because I had my reconstruction expander in and the little metal disc in the expander cast just enough of magnetic scatter to distort the liver picture. Eventually, a nuclear scan/study of some type (scintigraphy I think), and time under our belt with no changes in it, and an MRI after my implant had been "installed" proved that it was truly just a hemangioma. Sadly, it kept me out of the Phase III Herceptin trials 7 years ago, because it took about 6 months to determine what it was.

My doc told me that it's not at all unusual to have hemangiomas show up inside your body... I have never had probs because of it.

http://www.medicinenet.com/hepatic_h...ma/article.htm

"Hepatic hemangiomas are thought to be present in as many as 7% of healthy people. Hemangiomas are four to six times more common in women than in men. Female hormones may promote the formation and growth of hemangiomas. Hemangiomas, although referred to as tumors, are not malignant and do not become cancerous. Hemangiomas are not unique to the liver and can occur almost anywhere in the body."

[Rich66]

Hmm...maybe should be called shemangiomas.

[tricia keegan]

Hi Maria, a friend of mine had one of these biopsied as she thought it was cancer, thankfully it was'nt and no further follow up was recommended.

[Sherryg683]

I have two in my liver , since I have pet scans done every six months and these haven't changed in 4-1/2 years we are not concerned. I also had an ultrasound done of my liver which confirmed this. Ultrasound would be the easiest and probably most cost efficient. Doesn't take long to do either...sherry

Hey everyone,
I am a nursing student in my critical care rotation and I was hoping to receive some insight from anyone who is willing to respond. One of our assignments for the semester is that we each were "given" a diagnosis. Throughout the semester we are going to blog about out diagnosis. We are supposed to own it and blog about the "progression" of our condition. I was given the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma. I had never heard of it until now and am trying to learn as much about it as possible so when I write about it, it's as believable as possible.

I wanted to ask any/all of you, what is it like to live with hepatic hemangioma? When you were told of your diagnosis, what resources were available to you? Any insight that you are willing to offer would be greatly appreciated.

If you want to respond on this blog that would be great, or if you would rather email me in private, please email me at shortn_sweetstuff87@hotmail.com

Thank you again, and I look forward to hearing from you.

-Elisabeth M.

[AlaskaAngel]

Pink Girl, I'm glad you got your results back and are reassured. I too have some hemangiomas that have been sitting in my liver for 8 years now without any problems. Fatty liver is also quite common for middle age for women and I have that, which resulted in the somewhat elevated LFTs I have had that have now settled down (interestingly, with consistent exercise and diet).

Elisabeth M, take note...

AlaskaAngel

[suzan w]

When I was first dx'd a cat scan showed a spot on my liver and further testing showed it to be a hemangioma. After a panic attack I could hear the doctor telling me that it was nothing to worry about, just a mass of blood vessels, and quite common. I was worried about so much else that I chose to believe him!!

[PinkGirl]

Alaska Angel ... my liver hemangiomas were two years ago ...
I'm still dealing with the elevated liver enzymes ... having an
ultra sound on the 29th.

[krisvell]

To all that posted; a big thank you.
On my first Pet scan follow up, they found hemangioma's on my liver and now thanks to all of you, I am not worried about it.
Kris....