liver hemangiomas

[bCanuck]

Ok I have been feeling ill (weak and just not myself) for the past 3 months I have had an ESR rating of 48 which has now gone down to 2 and slightly high platelet level. Recently I have been having upper abdominal pain and went for an ultrasound. The ultrasound found something that the doctor says is a hemangioma. I was wondering how sure he can be with the finding through an ultrasound and also if it could be cancerous. The hemangioma is on my liver and is 2.2 cm. Another question I have is how do you treat or get rid of these hemangiomas.

By the way I am a 26 year old male who is usually healthy and athletic.

[baibeck]

Today I obtained ultrasound results that indicate I have a hemangioma in the right lobe of my liver.  What this means for me?  I have no idea!  I went in for pain in my abdomen right below my bra and somewhat in the middle.  I had severe pain one day which prompted me making an appointment with my doctor.  Lately I have been quite fatigued, sometimes nauseous...just feeling like garbage, however I'm not saying it's at all related to the hemangioma, but something must be causing it.  When the pain isn't terrible, it kind of feels like a slight discomfort that I could best describe as burning with an occasional shooting pain off to my right.  I also had an Upper GI done and supposedly my gallbladder and everything is A-OK.  I spoke with the nurse at my doctors office and she relayed a message from my doctor indicating that he would just follow up with me in 6 months to see if it has grown.  Other than that there is no treatment for it. (That's what she said)  I asked her what about the discomfort I'm having and she stated that they have samples at their office for me to pick up.  I went to the office, picked up the samples, read the insert and discovered they were for heartburn.  WHAT THE?!?!?!  I absolutely know what heartburn feels like and I am 110% certain it's not heartburn that I'm experiencing.  I am seeking a second opinion as I don't particularly trust his course of action or lack thereof.  From what I understand these things can grow....and sometimes fast.  I would rather have a follow-up much sooner than 6 months and with a specialist at that.  Not some doctor that is good for prescribing medication for colds and what not.  Does anyone else have any advise?  I'm slightly concerned although I'm thinking maybe I'm overly concerned, but then again rightfully so.  I'm 33 years old, married with 2 children and I want to keep myself healthy to watch my children grow up and raise families of their own.  Any words of wisdom from anyone?

[conley]

Well, here's my story.... I went in for a CT of my lungs and came out with a diagnosis of liver lesions. It was 3 at the time. Next it was off to ultrasound where the tech only saw one. Then back to CT where there were 2 around 2cm big (one on each lobe) and "all the others" were smaller than that. I wonder how many all the others is? Anyway, off to MRI which was still inconclusive for hemangioma because the blood flow and respiration factors made it hard to see. Now I am scheduled for a tagged red blood scan with the nuclear med folks.

I guess I am curious how fast these things grow because when I was hospitalized in December 2004 for unkown abdominal pains that brought me to my knees and horrific bouts of liquid bum....they didn't see anything on my liver CT.  I know they checked it and my liver numbers were out of whack along with an enlarged bile duct. They wrote it off as a passed gallstone. I still get this hard, painful lump centered just above my navel from time to time and I have stabbing, intermitent pain under my right rib cage that pokes through to my back and shoulder blade. Eating does the liquid bum thing again and it seems to bring on more severe stabbing abdominal pain. Heck, I don't know how many of these things are related or coincidence. I occassionally get the same type of stomach pain that put me in the hospital before but now it isn't as strong. I started having the right side pain last a week ago and thought I would wait it out to see if it goes away.

I also wonder how many tests until they can figure out what it is? Is a year and a half fast growing for 2 cm? Can someone give me some ideas what it could be? I don't have the seemingly-typical bloating or fever.

[kar-bear]

First of all it doesn't seem like your doctor is to worried so therefore it is probably nothing big to worry about. I know that the not knowing what it really is always scares everyone. I would still tell him you would like a catscan done. It can't hurt to give yourself peace of mind.I really don't know what a cyst on the liver is because i don't have one but a hemangioma is like a fatty tissue on the liver something like a blood vessel that is like a knot is what i been told. If you want some answers try going on google and type in cyst on the liver and it should give you more info. talk to you soon.

                                        Karen

[saraT]

Thanks for the info. You're very kind. I am worried that it might be cancer though. Do you know if an ultrasound can detect a cancerous tumor from a cyst? My doctor finally called me back today and said it isn't urgent; don't worry; that I should just do the tests he ordered for my regular check-up before all this happened. He said he'll see me when all my tests are in. So I guess But I'm a worrier. Do you think I should I insist on a CT scan if he doesn't recommend it? Also,what's the difference between a cyst and what you have? Thanks...

[kar-bear]

I don't know much about a cyst on the liver but I would suggust that you either get a catscan of the liver done or a MRI. What they are calling a cyst maybe in fact a small hemangioma. I myself have a hemangioma on my left lobe of my liver that was found along time ago while i was having a sonogram for possible gallbladder problems. If they find out through testing that it is that they generally just leave them alone unless they start to grow at a more rapid pace. As you can see by reading the comments on this sight many of people have these. Some of them had to have surgey if they have gotten to be to big. But for now to ease your mind I would have those tests done and see what your dealing with and go from there. I'am sure everything will be ok. If you have any more questions that I can help you out with you can post me a message on here. Take care and good luck!!

[saraT]

Hi everybody.. Maybe someone has answers for me. I had an abdominal ultrasound last month because I injured my kidney. The kidney was fine but they found a l.9 x l.4cm cyst on the left lobe of my liver. I am terrified!! I just faxed my GP a copy of the report (he isn't the doctor who ordered it; it was ordered by another doctor I saw at a clinic after my accident.) He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get back to me. Does anyone know if an ultrasound can determine a cyst from a cancerous tumor? Does anybody know about these cysts??? Should I have more tests? Please ease my mind. Thanks.