Hemangiomas of the Liver

(See also Overview of Liver Tumors.)

In the United States, up to about 20% of adults (mostly women) have small hemangiomas that cause no symptoms. These tumors are usually detected only when ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done for unrelated reasons (see Imaging Tests of the Liver and Gallbladder). Such tumors do not require treatment.

Hemangiomas that cause symptoms are very rare. Symptoms are more likely if hemangiomas are larger than about 1½ inches (4 cm). These tumors may cause abdominal discomfort and bloating and, less often, loss of appetite, nausea, a feeling of being full after eating a small meal, or pain.

In infants, hemangiomas usually disappear on their own. However, occasionally large hemangiomas cause problems, such as widespread blood clotting and heart failure. These tumors require treatment, which may include medications (such as corticosteroids and other immunotherapy agents), a procedure to block the hemangioma’s blood supply (called selective hepatic artery embolization), sometimes surgery to remove the hemangioma, and, rarely, liver transplantation.