1 cmm cyst present in the right lobe of the liver

[andi04]

I'm a little worried since my doctor failed to mention this to me this report was from june of 2006 and i am just now getting it which is now 2007 of March.  I have been feeling unwell and having severe abdominal pain in that area, should i have this checked out by another liver specialists or a surgeon.

I'm a little ticked off that I wasn't told about this since my liver enzymes and liver panel have been routinely abnormal elevated whichever...also affecting my white count...causing it higher...and causing my platelette count to go well below normal...

Please help calm my fears why didn't the doctor inform me of this?

I have the right to know even if it means nothing, I don't feel well...most of the time, so this could mean something I'm always in pain....anyway answers would be appreciated, Second time I paid money to ask a question on this site so i hope i get an answer....

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Most liver cysts are benign and can be simply observed.  That being said, I have not seen the report and can't give more comment on the cyst.  

Further evaluation of the liver can be considered with serial CT scans, or with an abdominal MRI.  If the cyst is enlarging, treatment can be considered.  

Regarding the continued pain, you can consider the gallbladder.  A HIDA scan with CCK stimulation can evaluate the gallbladder ejection fraction.  If low, removal of the gallbladder can be considered.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in consultation with another GI opinion.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[andi04]

I can't function without some type of answer thought about calling my GI doctor but i'm to furious its actually a 1 cm cyst not a 1cmm cyst not only that but I have had pain and they also found some other growth in my uterine wall during the same test which has me even more concerned no news isn't always good news, busy isn't always an excuse either on either party.  I had the right to know and now its making me crazy to find the answers...anyone...I have dropped weight i can't keep my weight above 100 its now 90 lbs I've always been slender build but this is rediculous...

so please some help would be appreciated...

thanks andi

[Kalio1]

I think you need further evaluation of your live by a liver specialistr. Have you been tested for Hep b and c? Did they find fat in your liver? Please be tested and rule that out first thing even if you have NO history that would indicate you had been exposed to it, it is not routinely tested for and is often missed. About 30% of the people with this virus do not have a history of possible exposure. Millions of people have it and do not know it. Your symptoms all are symptoms of Hep C. Of course it could be some other problem causing the symptoms, but I'd rule that out first off. I'd see a Heptologist if at all possible to get more info on that cyst. Did you read the report on the cyst? Was it found with an ultrasound? I'd ask for more testing and evaluation to make SURE that it is nothing to worry about. I'd be tested for Hep b and c and also ask the doctor to do a FIbrosure test, it is a blood test that can measure many factors, it is a noninvasive biopsy and a very good test. That is a simple blood draw for both the Fibrosure and the Hep B and C screen. I'd also find out what your platelet count is exactly. Was anything else on your bloodwork out of range? Although it is true that most cysts are benign, you want to know exactly what it is they are seeing and you want the best expert you can find to evaluate it too. I think you need a specialist.
I'd be ticked off too if I hadn't been told about a cyst. I'd also be concerned that you have had a pattern of raised enzymes but no further work up is being done. If you drink alcohol, I'd stop that and stay away from fats and sugars, those are all hard on the liver and your liver is stressed which is why the enzymes are raised.How about medications? Make sure they aren't hard on your liver and stay away from OTC products. Lowered platelets and raised enzymes coupled with fatigue add up to agressive pursuit for answers because they can be signs of liver damage.

A low platelet count is of concern. The spleen enlarges when the liver is damaged, trapping the platelets and lowering the count. There are other causes for this, but I'd want to know if your spleen is enlarged, is it? That can be seen on ultrasound. How low are the platelets? What were the actual numbers of your enzymes? The fact that you aren't feeling good and have pain is concerning also. Many doctors say "the liver doesn't hurt" but this is not true. The liver itself has no pain receptors, true, but the capsule surrounding it does and if your liver is swollen it puts pressure on the capsule and makes it hurt and can be mistaken for gastro problems quite readily and often is. Your symptoms all add up to a possible liver problem, but Im no doctor. However, I did have a liver problem that went undiagnosed and misdiagnosed as I got sicker and sicker and kept being told I was just getting old or I was stressed out or I was menopausal but I knew I was SICK. I felt sick. I didnt look sick but I was.Liver problems can be VERY sneaky and often give no signs at all at first and are often missed.
Finally one doc thought to test me for Hep C and low and behold, I had it. I had the same symptoms as you and then some. We were able to figure out I had gotten it from an outpatient surgery. Hopefully you will be negative and you can look at other possible reasons but I'd do your research and get copies of all your bloodwork and test results. Ask for the written report from when they found the cyst. Get that GI to get you in right away to see a Heptologist if you can.
Hope you feel better soon, I'd try some dietary changes and see if that helps you feel better in the meantime, sometimes there is an incredibly long wait time to see these guys.

[andi04]

I have the report right in front of me, when I requested my medical records they didn't send the lab work just the endoscopy reports, which i have had a million of because of barrett's esphogus, have them routinely. anyway.

the report says spiral scanning was performed from the level of the dome of the diaphragm to the ischal tuberosities utilzing oral and intravenous contrast material,

there is an approximate 1 cm cyst present in the right lobe of the liver, No suspicous focal abnormality is idenitified in the liver,? (makes no sense to me) since the cyst is there.

That's basically all it says.

Platelettes run usually below 149 sometimes even in the 60,000's had this checked out by a hematologist and nothing was found at that time,

docotor does suspect connective tissue disease but blood work isn't showing anything.

:shrugs: I'm a little confused...

thanks for the answers i'm a little calmer now I may seek the advice another liver specialist see my gp in one week so I will show her this.

thanks again andi; I currentlly weigh 95lbs and i'm eating like a horse...?

[andi04]

I just started to take zelnorm as I do have diverticulosis and irritabl bowel syndrome, don't ask i'm a walking medical disaster......either a doctors dream or a worst nightmare...


Chronic constipation and numerous stool impactions, should I push for a diagnostic laprascopy? if so should i have my gyn do it or should I go to a general surgeon, as I have said numerous times I'm a little angery at my own GI docs I have an appointment with my rheumtologist/gP doctor on the 10th of april might make it sooner since the fevers and joint pain are disrupting my life even more then the irritating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are...like I said i'm a walking medical disaster...I have more doctors then friends...and that is scary to me, I just want to feel better and it feels like that will never happen i have added carnation instant breakfast to my diet with lactaid milk...just to get the vitamins. This weight loss is really starting to worry me...so anyone again with any responses to help calm my frailed nerves at this point would be greatful.

Have an appointment with my Pyshcologist and Pyschatrist this week..thank god for small favors right eh?

love you all thanks in advance.

[Paula57]

Hi, there.  I've been reading comments in this forum and was wondering if one of the doctors could answer a question for me.  I have a 3 cm lesion in the right lobe of the liver.  This was detected a year or so ago, and has not changed.  I do have cysts in my kidneys in which septation can barely be seen, as the walls are so thin.  They have been staged at Bosniak II.  I had both an MRI and CT scan on the liver, and it seems to have characteristics of a hemangioma.  However, I was sent to have an ultrasound of the liver lesion to see if it had classic characteristics of a hemangioma with an ultrasound to confirm that it is a hemangioma.  I read the ultrasound report and all that was stated was, "The lesion on the liver does not have classic characteristics of a benign hemangioma."  What does this mean?  Does it mean then, that it is probably malignant?  My history of alcohol is a bad one.  I drank heavily all my life up until 5 years ago (I am now 50), and I smoked for many years, as well.  I wouldn't doubt it if I have cirrrosis of the liver as well.  This all seems to be a waiting game to see if anything changes, but of course, I am concerned.  The CT scan says probably a hemangioma, but the ultrasound says it does not have classic characteristics.  What can this possibly mean?  Thank you in advance for any help offered.  Paula57