Aa
Hemangioma
I have Hepatitis C and have had it for 30 years now. I feel healthy. The only complaint I have is mild pain underneath my bra area on the right hand side. I have had that pain for several years, approx., 10 to 12 years. I went into see my gastroenterologist because i wanted to start the medicine to help clear this hepatitis-c virus. He ran all types of blood work including a AFP which was in normal range at 4.3. All the other blood work was normal. I had a ultrasound that was to compare to previous ultrasound done many years ago in 2005. here is what impression said: Hyperechoic mass in the left lobe not duplicated on study of 2005. MRI evaluation would be recommended to exclude hepatoma. That was done 8/23/2011. I went to get MRI on 8/31/2011. Impression on MRI was: left hepatic lobe mass has signal characteristics suggestive of an atypical hemangioma. Given that the lesion does not completely fill in with contrast and history of Hepatitis C surveillance would be warranted in six months to twelve months. Now also from the MRI besides the summary of the impression, they listed all the abdominal findings. Spleen:normal, Liver: There is a well-circumscribed ovoid heavily T2,weighted homogeneous hyperintense mass in the lateral segment of the left hepatic lobe near diaphragmatic surface which measures 1.8X1.6cm which is smaller than compared to measurements on ultrasound of 2.6x2.4x1.9. Mass is T1 Hypointense and has peripheral incomplete nodular enhancement with near progressive enhancements of the mass on delayed imaging. At 5 minutes there are small central areas which do not enhance. No other liver Lesions.
Pancreas: Pancreas enhances normally. No masses. Pancreatic duct is not dilated. No evidence of pancreatic divisum. There is a cystic abnormality which appears to be adjacent to the main pancreatic duct within the head measuring at least 6mm. This could represent a side branch ductal dilatation. This can be further assessed with MRCP if clinically warranted. Everything else on the report was fine.
My gastroenterologist talked with me and we decided because of my stress I should not wait to find out about the pancreas and if they could look at liver as well maybe get some reassurance there, that I would go to a specialist at Umass memorial in Worcester, MA and have a endoscopic ultrasound. Before the procedure the specialist doctor called me and we spoke about the pancreas and I asked if he could also look at my liver and biopsy if needed. He said he would look at the liver but if it is a hemangioma he would not biopsy because it could bleed. After the procedure he spoke with my spouse and the next day talked to me after medication subsided and said he saw the liver very well and it looked vascular to him and not to worry he did not see cancer. He said he did not see cancer anywhere. The pancreas was fine. He did not see anything like they saw on MRI it was gone. He did note in his impression that non specific pancreatic parenchymal injury. I asked what that meant and he said the endoscopic ultrasound is very sensitive not to worry. He said follow up with MRI in 9 months for the liver and at the same time follow up on pancreas.
Here are my questions:
1) I understand that hemangiomas are from when we were born, if that is true why after 30 years of surveillance with liver scans not MRI . I had several liver scans which is called NM Liver/Spleen-image using 6.4 mci of 99mtc sulfur colloid which were injected and multiple delayed images were made "Nuclear Medicine". I had these in 2001 and 2002. I had a few in the 1990’s as well.
I then had ultrasound in 2005 which did not see the liver mass then either. I am scared this is not what they think. What is your opinion based on this information.
2) If it was liver cancer would I feel sick?
I am having another MRI next week so I hope it stays the same.
3) Do most Hepatitis-C patients succumb to cirrhosis or liver cancer. My blood work has always been normal and my scans don't indicate cirrhosis and I understand the biopsy is the only way to tell but technology has come a long way and imaging is a lot better now for these things. I don't want to start treatment with the horrible side effects and all if i am okay. I am geno type 2b and my HCV RNA Detect/Quant is 15,200,000. The side effects of depression scares me because it runs in my family. I am not depressed but obviously I am having COD on this. I also have eczema which can become worst with this medication. Would love to hear what you have to say. Thank you.
This discussion is related to Liver Hemangioma & Hep C.
Pancreas: Pancreas enhances normally. No masses. Pancreatic duct is not dilated. No evidence of pancreatic divisum. There is a cystic abnormality which appears to be adjacent to the main pancreatic duct within the head measuring at least 6mm. This could represent a side branch ductal dilatation. This can be further assessed with MRCP if clinically warranted. Everything else on the report was fine.
My gastroenterologist talked with me and we decided because of my stress I should not wait to find out about the pancreas and if they could look at liver as well maybe get some reassurance there, that I would go to a specialist at Umass memorial in Worcester, MA and have a endoscopic ultrasound. Before the procedure the specialist doctor called me and we spoke about the pancreas and I asked if he could also look at my liver and biopsy if needed. He said he would look at the liver but if it is a hemangioma he would not biopsy because it could bleed. After the procedure he spoke with my spouse and the next day talked to me after medication subsided and said he saw the liver very well and it looked vascular to him and not to worry he did not see cancer. He said he did not see cancer anywhere. The pancreas was fine. He did not see anything like they saw on MRI it was gone. He did note in his impression that non specific pancreatic parenchymal injury. I asked what that meant and he said the endoscopic ultrasound is very sensitive not to worry. He said follow up with MRI in 9 months for the liver and at the same time follow up on pancreas.
Here are my questions:
1) I understand that hemangiomas are from when we were born, if that is true why after 30 years of surveillance with liver scans not MRI . I had several liver scans which is called NM Liver/Spleen-image using 6.4 mci of 99mtc sulfur colloid which were injected and multiple delayed images were made "Nuclear Medicine". I had these in 2001 and 2002. I had a few in the 1990’s as well.
I then had ultrasound in 2005 which did not see the liver mass then either. I am scared this is not what they think. What is your opinion based on this information.
2) If it was liver cancer would I feel sick?
I am having another MRI next week so I hope it stays the same.
3) Do most Hepatitis-C patients succumb to cirrhosis or liver cancer. My blood work has always been normal and my scans don't indicate cirrhosis and I understand the biopsy is the only way to tell but technology has come a long way and imaging is a lot better now for these things. I don't want to start treatment with the horrible side effects and all if i am okay. I am geno type 2b and my HCV RNA Detect/Quant is 15,200,000. The side effects of depression scares me because it runs in my family. I am not depressed but obviously I am having COD on this. I also have eczema which can become worst with this medication. Would love to hear what you have to say. Thank you.
This discussion is related to Liver Hemangioma & Hep C.
Hi Navi
This is an old post but Hector is a regular here. To best have people see your question go to the top right of the page and click on the green post a question link and post a new question.
Good luck and welcome
Lynn
This is an old post but Hector is a regular here. To best have people see your question go to the top right of the page and click on the green post a question link and post a new question.
Good luck and welcome
Lynn
I did ultrasound & a nodule 19*13 cm found in the right lobe of my live... It considered grade 1.. Tell me about this... Plzzz
Thank you so much for you reply. I am sorry to hear you have both. How long have you know? How long have you had Hep-C? Do you only have Hep-C or other Heps?
I know this virus is bad. I will most likely go on treatment. I read horrible things about the treatment on the internet and it scares me.
Thank you again. My prayers are with you.
I know this virus is bad. I will most likely go on treatment. I read horrible things about the treatment on the internet and it scares me.
Thank you again. My prayers are with you.
"1) I understand that hemangiomas are from when we were born, if that is true why after 30 years of surveillance with liver scans not MRI . I had several liver scans which is called NM Liver/Spleen-image using 6.4 mci of 99mtc sulfur colloid which were injected and multiple delayed images were made "Nuclear Medicine". I had these in 2001 and 2002. I had a few in the 1990’s as well.
I then had ultrasound in 2005 which did not see the liver mass then either. I am scared this is not what they think. What is your opinion based on this information."
First the most important thing is that if hepatoma (HCC/liver cancer) is suspected, the MRI scan should be done at a transplant center where they are the experts that know how to differentiate between an atypical hemangioma and liver cancer. Most radiologist don't know how to do this. So if there really is a question a bout a lesion a consultation with a transplant center is of utmost importance.
A 4-phase MRI study is required (unenhanced, arterial, venous and
delayed phases) is the best way to "see" and diagnose liver lesions. The resolutions of the other imaging techniques (ultrasound, CT scan) you had in the past are much lower in resolution so they can't see as much. Also MRI resolution has increased greatly since you last had imaging done.
It is these two reasons that the lesions probably weren't seen before assuming they are benign. A small percent of the population has benign lesions in their livers and it is 2 to 5 times more common in woman.
"2) If it was liver cancer would I feel sick?"
No. Symptoms usually appear when only when the cancer has progressed to its final stages and it is terminal. This is why surveillance is so important.
I am having another MRI next week so I hope it stays the same.
"It normally takes 6 months for a cancer tumor (HCC) to double in size and a benign lesion will remain the same size."
"3) Do most Hepatitis-C patients succumb to cirrhosis or liver cancer."
Most persons with hepatitis C do not progress to cirrhosis. But once a person with hepatitis C develops cirrhosis, they will in time experience either liver failure or liver cancer or both. (I have both). NOTE: It is highly unusual for anyone with hepatitis C to develop liver cancer if they don't have stage 4 cirrhosis.
"My blood work has always been normal and my scans don't indicate cirrhosis and I understand the biopsy is the only way to tell but technology has come a long way and imaging is a lot better now for these things."
You need a biopsy. It is a simple procedure and it the ONLY way to know how much liver damage you have. Blood tests and imaging can not tell you the stage of your liver disease.
"I don't want to start treatment with the horrible side effects and all if i am okay."
You are not okay. You are ill and your blood can infect other people. You should realize this. Every day the hepatitis C virus is damaging your liver. Just because you feel well doesn't mean you are okay. Secondly know one can say how difficult the side effects of treatment will be. It could be minimal.
I am geno type 2b and my HCV RNA Detect/Quant is 15,200,000.
You have about an 80% chance of curing your hepatitis in 6 months. Pretending you are not ill and that if you don't acknowledge it it will go away is not a good plan. You should think about starting treatment.
"The side effects of depression scares me because it runs in my family."
People with a history of depression take anti-depressants before starting treatment. I have done it so have many others.
"I also have eczema which can become worst with this medication."
Eczema can be managed during treatment. This should not stop you from treating.
Good luck
Hector
I then had ultrasound in 2005 which did not see the liver mass then either. I am scared this is not what they think. What is your opinion based on this information."
First the most important thing is that if hepatoma (HCC/liver cancer) is suspected, the MRI scan should be done at a transplant center where they are the experts that know how to differentiate between an atypical hemangioma and liver cancer. Most radiologist don't know how to do this. So if there really is a question a bout a lesion a consultation with a transplant center is of utmost importance.
A 4-phase MRI study is required (unenhanced, arterial, venous and
delayed phases) is the best way to "see" and diagnose liver lesions. The resolutions of the other imaging techniques (ultrasound, CT scan) you had in the past are much lower in resolution so they can't see as much. Also MRI resolution has increased greatly since you last had imaging done.
It is these two reasons that the lesions probably weren't seen before assuming they are benign. A small percent of the population has benign lesions in their livers and it is 2 to 5 times more common in woman.
"2) If it was liver cancer would I feel sick?"
No. Symptoms usually appear when only when the cancer has progressed to its final stages and it is terminal. This is why surveillance is so important.
I am having another MRI next week so I hope it stays the same.
"It normally takes 6 months for a cancer tumor (HCC) to double in size and a benign lesion will remain the same size."
"3) Do most Hepatitis-C patients succumb to cirrhosis or liver cancer."
Most persons with hepatitis C do not progress to cirrhosis. But once a person with hepatitis C develops cirrhosis, they will in time experience either liver failure or liver cancer or both. (I have both). NOTE: It is highly unusual for anyone with hepatitis C to develop liver cancer if they don't have stage 4 cirrhosis.
"My blood work has always been normal and my scans don't indicate cirrhosis and I understand the biopsy is the only way to tell but technology has come a long way and imaging is a lot better now for these things."
You need a biopsy. It is a simple procedure and it the ONLY way to know how much liver damage you have. Blood tests and imaging can not tell you the stage of your liver disease.
"I don't want to start treatment with the horrible side effects and all if i am okay."
You are not okay. You are ill and your blood can infect other people. You should realize this. Every day the hepatitis C virus is damaging your liver. Just because you feel well doesn't mean you are okay. Secondly know one can say how difficult the side effects of treatment will be. It could be minimal.
I am geno type 2b and my HCV RNA Detect/Quant is 15,200,000.
You have about an 80% chance of curing your hepatitis in 6 months. Pretending you are not ill and that if you don't acknowledge it it will go away is not a good plan. You should think about starting treatment.
"The side effects of depression scares me because it runs in my family."
People with a history of depression take anti-depressants before starting treatment. I have done it so have many others.
"I also have eczema which can become worst with this medication."
Eczema can be managed during treatment. This should not stop you from treating.
Good luck
Hector
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
