Hemangiona

[Brad Birkeland]

I would like to obtain as much information as possible concerning hemangiona (Blood Vessel Tumor) in the liver.  My wife has been diagnosed with leisions (3)in the liver and the latest concern is with possible hemangiona in the capsule of the liver.  Specifics are requested.  

Her symptoms to this date were severe abdominal pain (6 weeks ago) 12 days hospitalization with no procedures.  Be rest and pain medication.  Was taken off estrogen replacement therapy.  CT scan (X2) plus sonogram found leisions.  

Tenderness remains, but blood levels are improving (were at 8.6, now 11.5).  Plan to do radiological blood draw/replacement as next step.  

Would like information quickly to help make decisions.

[Nicole Aracich]

My doctor just told me today I have to get a CT.  Because I just had a ultrasound and they found this.  They think it is Hemangiona,  but that is why they want to give me a CT.  What do you think

[jennifer]

to Macy

Have you had your gall bladder taken out.  URQ pain going into the back sounds like gall bladder to me.  Hope that you are ok now as I see that you wrote almost four months ago.  Good luck

[Scotty]

I have a concern about the pain in my upper right side of my abdomin.  I have a very sensitive area that hurts all the time and has extreem pain if I push on it.  I went to the doctor and got a cat scan and blood tests.  The cat scan report showed nothing abnormal. The blood tests were the same.  My doctor said the pain didn't apear to be muscular.  According to my doctor the pain is located where the liver is but the tests show no abnormality.  So he sent me home with a bottle of vicoden and a few other drugs. I am a bit scared and not sure of what to do.  I have a few other symptoms that I don't know if they are related but I will list them and see if anybody can give me any idea of what this is.  #1) The abdominal pain I have described for the last 8 weeks.  #2) Itching !  Wow this itching drives me crazy !  It is all over my body (2 Months) and extreemly intense. #3) Muscle pain. I have had muscle pain for about the same amount of time.  From cramps in my legs to what feels like pulled muscles. #4) I have had a light rash on my chest and shoulders off and on for the last  two months.  I know these symptoms might not be related at all but I would like any help I can get.  The medications I have been given for all this stuff is;
Vicoden - Pain  (Helps some)
Clairiten - Itching & Rash  (Helps a little)
Flexeril _ Muscle Pain  (No effect at all)
Does any of this sound framiliar to anyone ?
Thanks for your time.
***@****

[Leslie]

There is a lot of information on the web for hemangiomas tht I have found helpful.

Read my post under "liver hemangiomas and pain" ... I don't want to rewrite it and the computer isn't letting me copy and paste it here. I do want to reiterate.. don't let these people intimidate you! If you feel like they are not listening or being compassionate, tell them so. But tell them from a place of observation and how it makes you feel rather than a place of hostility and accusation.

My dad was a radiation oncologist and I have had good health care all of my life. I have heard horror stories about those who haven't though, and it just infuriates me.

One thing that I have not read a lot about on the web, is the pain that is associated with this. On their own, hemangiomas do not cause pain. The liver does not have any nerve endings. But, if the tumor is pressing against the capsule or the abdominal wall, then it will cause pain. The abdominal wall does have nerve endings. The pain is enough to warrant having surgery in some cases; it will not go away on its own. The idea of surgery on the liver scares me because the liver is so vascular.

Personally, I am going to try homeopathy first. At least 60 days worth. It is worth a try and sometimes [I have been told that] these do respond to it.

When I first read the MRI report, it said "consistent with malignancy." I just freaked out. I sat for days in shock staring into space thinking I was going to die. It was terrifying. I am 48 and it was the first time i had REALLY been hit with my own mortality.

Thanks for sharing all of you. It really helps to read your stories.
Leslie
***@****

[Cissy Arnold]

I have just been told that I have a lesion on my liver.  This was discovered on an ultra sound that was scheduled because of abdominal pain that I am having.  I have been told that it probably is a hemangiona which is supposedly nothing to worry about....can you send me any information about the liver, lesions, hemangiona's of the liver, treatment, etc.   Thank you so much for any assistance that you can give me.

[Lauro]

Hi Tonya,

I saw a new Gastro Female Doc the other day.  She needs to go to the Dale Carnegie School to learn manners and compassion.

  I do not know why I let her intimidate me. I guess because I was on her Turf.  I am looking forward to the day that I may meet her on my Turf.(-:

  I had mentioned the Motility problems and she went on to say that she use to do a procedure called ERCP but her patients were coming down with Pancreatitis so she quit doing the ERCP test.

Tonya, I had this test done 15 years ago. They diagnosed me with Sphincter of Odie Problem.  BUT, I was not having bad pains all the time.  Since my gallbladder surgery 30 years ago, every time, I took a pain med, i.e. Vicodin,an Opiod for a procedure, even a Lomotil would cause SEVERE Duct Spasms.  I avoided many many meds for this very reason.  

There are different types of Motility problems and tests.  She said I needed a 24 hour PH Monitoring Probe. (I already knew this before I saw her as the former gastro Doc mentioned this BUT did not follow up on it)  This tests is a must for me.  You may want to ask your new doctor about this.

Now, back to the ERCP test.  This is an invasive test and Tonua, if a doctor has not been doing this over and over again for many years, I would not let him/her touch me. This test can show a problem in the bile duct.  Mine did not show a stone 15 years ago but the doc did trigger my spasms with a narcotic which was seen on a 45 minute film which they termed "delayed empyting of the bile duct"....This presumably caused by the narcotic.

I have heard also about this pain in other people who have had their gallbladder out but you had the pains before the gallbladder out.

Next for me is:  seeing a specialist gastro doc that I heard about here that sees and diagnosis and treats complicated cases.
I will pay for a consult and decide what I will agree with.  I WILL NOT HAVE another ERCP unless it absolutely necessary although this doc is a guru for this test.  I will agree to to a 24 hour PH Monitor probe and to meds he may offer to help empty the bile ducts sooner.  (if there is such an animal)

I do not want more surgery either unless it is absolutley necessary.   I have reflux also and I do know that there is suppose to be a minor (have to find out what they refer to as minor) procedure to put a stitch in the esophagus to keep it from getting acid back into the esophagus. I am sure this doc will educate me on this.  Also, the other day on TV, there is a PILL that one can take and this goes into the tummy and will pick up things that an X-Ray and an EGD will miss.  This pill will be available in 4 months. The pill will dissolve itself in the tummy so no surgery is necessary.  The man they did this test on, showed a bleeding pre cancerous lesion when no other tests he had, would pick it up.

Tonya, proceed carefully with Invasive tests.  The 24 hour PH Monitoring may be a lil discomfort, but is non invasive and is a good diagnostic test.  There is also another one out there but i forgot its name.  This also is not invasive.

Pls. keep me posted and I will do the same.

Good Luck.

Macy

P.S.  I hope the new doc I will be seeing has some manners. <grin>

[Tonya]

Hey Macy -

I read your post and have alot of similiarites.  I'm 30 years old and started getting very ill in July, 2000. After a month and a half it was determined a had a non functioning gall bladder w/no stones and I had surgery the end of August.  The gb removeal helped some.  But I still have the right side and back pain and the back is even worse now then before the surgery.  And also still have the nausea.  I've now lost a total of 30 lbs.  I had numerous tests as you including a CT scan and MRI of my bile ducts which are all normal.  My 2nd gastro diagnosed me w/a stomach molitity problem so now I've been referred to a 3rd gastro that specializes in molitity problems.  I'm on the same page as you are thinking that the problem is w/my bile ducts since that could be a cause of my gall bladder going bad.  I've tried to persue the bile duct issue w/my PCP but he blows me off saying I may have a pulled muscle or something.  Hopefully this new gastro will listen and try to help me.  Since I have been diagnosed w/a molitity problem of the stomach Ive been reading and read somewhere about a Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction which is a molitity problem of the bile ducts.  Please let me know if you've come up w/any answers or if any one has any suggestions.  Thanks.
Tonya

[Polly]

when i was two-three years old i had an operation
to remove hemangioma from my left leg. the scar that they left me will be with me always. that
operation was done because of the strawberry
mark growing further up my leg. my mom told me
it was like tumor that was effecting my walk.
Now  am 38 with a severe pain in my right side
that will not go away. I have a name for it because i have been fighting this for months!
the doctor was treating me for damaged nerve by
giving an njection o numb my pain, whch will last
up to maybe 6 months. The pain is still there
I do have a job, of which i do alot of walking
lifting etc.... this pain is endless!  There are days of not going to work, loss of sleep because of this pain and also alot of burning. Could this
be hemangioma returning . This is the first time
i am hearing symptoms on this i thought it was a very rare disease back then.

[Polly]

when i was two-three years old i had an operation
to remove hemangioma from my left leg. the scar that they left me will be with me always. that
operation was done because of the strawberry
mark growing further up my leg. my mom told me
it was like tumor that was effecting my walk.
Now  am 38 with a severe pain in my right side
that will not go away. I have a name for it because i have been fighting this for months!
the doctor was treating me for damaged nerve by
giving an njection o numb my pain, whch will last
up to maybe 6 months. The pain is still there
I do have a job, of which i do alot of walking
lifting etc.... this pain is endless!  There are days of not going to work, loss of sleep because of this pain and also alot of burning. Could this
be hemangioma returning . This is the first time
i am hearing symptoms on this i thought it was a very rare disease..

[Mary]

Renee, who diagnosed this and what are they saying?

Are you in a city or have access to a facility that has
a physician that specilizes in Liver Diseases.

I just learned that these things are more prevalent in women in the third/fourth and fifth decard of life.  Mine (small)were diagnosed 15 years ago, accidently and the Radiologist  told me to forget about them but since I have been on estrogen for a long time, (unaware that estrogen can increase these lil buggers), I will be having a special scan next week to check angiomas as a cause for my right sided tummy pains.

With modern medicine, I too would be interested in learning if
there is a procedure that uses a small device/tool instead of major surgery if surgery is indicated for an angioma.

Good Luck.

[[email protected]]

I have a hemangiona (Blood vessel Tumor)in my liver 10 cm.
How can I get rid of it?  I hope surgery isn't the only way.

[Mare]

June, Ditto...Ditto....Ditto...

It is "patient beware".   We must ALL do our own homework and have a good doctor who will listen, advise and work with the patient.  

I will not let anyone intimidate me.

Recently, on the news, a woman in her fifties was diagnosed with tumors behind the heart.  She was given a poor prognosis and time was running out for her.  She got on the internet and found a surgeon to help her, 2000 miles away.

Her surgery was successful and she returned home to her loved ones, well, for the Holidays.   What a Beautiful Story.  

That woman did not take "no" for an answer. Good For Her.

[June]

Another case of someone who should not have been on estrogen.

[Macy]

I was diagnosed with Angiomas via an Angiogram of the stomach back in 1980.  CT scan never showed these.

The radiologist called them like birth marks, "strawberry".  I have 3. He  called them Angiomas. 3mm. No one ever told me to have follow ups on these.  I recently have had terrible reflux and pain in the upper right quardant that radiates to the upper right back area.  I have on and off nausea, belching  and feel poorly.  I have no appetite (lost 14 lbs.)and at times the stools are golden in color. At times, I itch terribly.

I saw a gastro doc and told him all this. He was as caring and gracious to me as the lizard on my window sill.  He ordered an Ultrasound and this did not show the angiomas or anything.  He did an EGD and colonoscopy without anything (very painful) and put me on priolosec, then prevecid then Achifex (spelled wrong).   None of these meds helped one bit and in fact made me feel worse. (side effects)

I called this gastro doc and told him that he is on the wrong page as I am not getting well and I feel he has overlooked something.

Well, I hurt his feelings.  He went on to say that I must have a "gut moltility problem too" and he does not know how to treat this but would put his thinking cap on.

I called three other gastroenterologists and spoke with nurses and described my symptoms and tests I have had.  

They were very kind and asked if i had this test and that test and I said, No, No, No.

Patients know their bodies and know when something is not right. I feel  there is something going on with a bile duct that the ultrasound did not pick up.

Perhaps the Angiomas?  Perhaps a stone? I sure would like to eat again.

I have been on Hormone Replacement Therapy for 10 years.  I see where some here got off this med because of the angiomas.  This is very interesting as I was never told about this.

I see a Female Gastroenterologist in 10 days.  She came highly recommended by my opthamologist and endocrinologist.

Those who have not been satisfied with their physician, please do not give up.  There are many good doctors out there.  I just happened to find one that wasn't but feel very good that I will
be seeing a top notch gastro doctor shortly.  The angiomas/bile ducts will be on the top of the list.  

Good Luck To All and May you all be blessed with better health in the upcoming New Year.  

[Dr K. From France]

Hemangioma of the liver is relatively frequent lesion (2 to 4% of adults).
Generally no treatment is needed unless very rare complications.
The most important point is to be sure of the diagnosis by your doctor.
Dr K.

[sandy hinojos]

I have a HEMAANGIOMAA WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED IN 1993

[lori]

My Mother has just been diagnosed with having 3 liver hemangiomas.  Two are small (1.5 cm) and one is very, very large - 12.5 x 5 x 7 cm.  They have been ruled as benign, after MRI, catscan, ultrasound and nuclear diagnostic testing.

Can anyone shed more light on LARGE Hemangioma's - whether or not to be concerned about bleeding/rupturing and growth.

Much thanks!

[roberta]

I have been diagnosed with 3 lesions- one 6 cm and two at 3 cm.I saw my primary care doctor and a gastro doctor who both said hemangiomas do not cause pain.  I have epigastric pain (mid stomach) and lower right back pain which feels like a deep pain within a nerve.  I asked to be referred to a liver specialist which I recently saw.  He confirmed by my 3 CT scans that because one of the hemangiomas was in the liver capsule,it is pressing on nerves within that capsule which not only would cause the pain, but also cause pain in the neck & shoulder area (which I also have and have never been able to find out why!!)  He did confirm they are totally benin but should be checked every year to make sure they do not grow.  VERY IMPORTANT- he told me the only test to rule out cancer of the liver is a alpha-fetaprotein test which is a tumor marker for liver cancer.  Make sure she has that test. I am having mine next week!!    Good luck.

[Theresa]

I have been diagnosed with the same thing and would like to know what causes them and what I can do about them.  Is there anything that can be done about this

[Claranne Bechtler]

I too was diagnosed with 3 liver leisions. 2 hemangionas and 1 focal nodal hyperplasia (FNH).

I too was taken off HRT.  The symptoms that led to the findings were 1.  Colic pain in the upper left back with severe belching and cronic burning sensation under the left ribs in front.  The two symptoms occur separately.   Strangely I was told the liver leisons were "definitely NOT the cause of my pains."   My lipids were normal.  I have since developed mucus in the stools which no one knows if it is related.  

Good luck,

Feel free to comment

[Suzanne Noble]

I would like to know exactly what hemangiona is, what causes it, what are the best suggested treatments and is it life- threatening? Also, are there particular drugs that would aggravate this condition?

[jenifer]

I have 5 hemangiomas in my liver. They range from "small" to "golf-ball size. I was diagnosed with these 2 years ago when the docs were looking for a reason that I get pulmonary emboli (no reason ever found.) From my research that I have found on the liver hemangioma, it is my understanding that 7% of women have 1 small one. They are akin to a "strawberry mark" on the skin. A CT scan should be completed annually to make sure that they have not grown or burst according to my reasearch and docs. Best of luck.