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What is Cavernous Hemangiomas
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What is Cavernous Hemangiomas

by Paddleman, Jan 03, 2003 12:00AM
Today I received a call from the Dr, telling me they had found something on my liver.  From the Ultra Sound, he believes it could be Cavernous Hemangioma.  What is it exactly?  I am scheduled for a CT scan next week, but since this is the weekend, I am worried, and trying to do some research.  Apparently it is small, but they want to begin to check it out.  Any and all help will be apprerciated..



Thanks to all in advance
Member Comments (5)

by Abbey, Jan 04, 2003 12:00AM
I have them too. They found it during a Cat Scan and later had two ultra sounds. the doctor's don't seem too concerned but why does my stomach always hurt? I'm going back to the doc's to find out.

by metro, Jan 05, 2003 12:00AM
Hello there.  I had (key word had) a cavernous hemangioma on the left lobe of my liver.  Mine was very large, 9 1/2 CM.  I had many stomach problems because it was located on my left lobe,  close to my stomach and it interfered with digestion.



I had surgery last February and granted it was a big operation, I came through it fine and all of my problems are resolved.  I too had a cat scan and my surgeon also had a tagged red blood cell test done to confirm the hemangioma.  



My understanding is they are benign and as long as they are not large they usually leave them alone.  However, mine was causing severe symptoms and I had no choice.



Good luck with your testing.  Keep us posted as to how you feel and what's going on!

by arlmon, Jan 05, 2003 12:00AM
I have 2 cavernous liver hemangiomas, which they discovered on an ultrasound that I was having for a cyst on my kidney (I've had this for years). I have no pain. They repeated the ultrasound in Dec/02 and everything was unchanged. My doctor says they want to do a CT scan (a red blood cell scan) in 6 months. What exactly is involved in doing the CT scan? Like I always say, the more they look for, they more they find!

by metro, Jan 06, 2003 12:00AM
A red blood cell test involves taking a small amount of blood out, attaching some type of "tracking" to it (sorry I don't know the medical words).  On that same day after a few hours, they re-inject your blood with this sort of attachment on it and my layman's understanding of it was it shows vascular (blood) tumors and organs.



When I had my red blood cell test last November, my tumor was very clear to the radiologist.  It also confirmed the size, location and involvement with my liver.



I am grateful to all of my medical providers, particularly my surgeon.  She was wonderful and I'm very glad it's all over.  If any of you have anymore questions, please post.

by arlmon, Jan 07, 2003 12:00AM
To: metro
The red blood cell test you had does not sound very comfortable to me. Was it called a red blood cell scan? When you had an ultrasound, did they suspect a tumour? No one said anything to me about tumours - just the 2 small hemangiomas that they saw. When I see my general doctor the beginning of February, I will ask him why they want me to have a scan? Usually, when I have an ultrasound to check my kidney cyst, they only do the kidney. This time, I went privately (we have medicare where I live). They did all the organs and this was how my hemangiomas were discovered. Otherwise, I probably would never have known I had them.

by metro, Jan 07, 2003 12:00AM
In response to your post, the red cell test is called a red cell scan.  My apologies for not being clear.  It is not painful.  It's hard to explain but you simply lay on a table while they scan you once this tagged blood is put back into you.  That's just done with a simple injection.  There was no pain or discomfort involved.



To answer your other question.  I initially had a sonogram which showed the hemangioma.  My doctor then sent me for a cat scan.  After the cat scan was done I consulted with a surgeon who prescribed the red cell scan.



I hope this helps.  It is true that they are hemangiomas but technically they are considered benign tumors.  Mine was large and needed to come out.  Many times they are left alone.



Good luck and let me know.



by arlmon, Jan 14, 2003 12:00AM
Is is possible that having liver hemangiomas can cause you to be tired? Someone mentioned that to me and it's something I've never heard before in relation to hemangiomas.
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