Liver Lesions Found

[Benson]

What causes liver lesions. How common are they? Is there any significance in the the number of lesions seen? How often do they change into liver cancer? Is there any treatment that will help? (Alternative or mainstream)

[Benson]

Well all.....I am back after having a liver biopsy yesterday.
I was absolutely scared to death.....I felt like a little girl
in the Doctors office wanting to cry over a shot!!!!!   I didn't
actually cry...but if you had looked closely my eyes were sure
moist!

That was all in anticipation of the procedure.....when I had
it done, it was absolutely the easiest, most painless, invasive
procedure I have ever had done.  Keeping my hands over my head
was the hardest part.  Pain relief these days is so good...so
if any of you have to have this.....don't be scared.

The scary part comes now......test results...I will let you
know.

Christine.....my e-mail address is ***@****.  Just in
case we suddenly disappear off the board.  I especially want
to know about your test...and also share info as we gather it.
If my test is all benign...I would really like to go to Arizona
to the clinic of Dr. Andrew Weil (spelling?)...and get a work
up and then a recommendation on vitamins, etc.

I hope all of us are ok.....for those of you whose Doctors have
just sort of let it drift on without forcing the issue on more
tests......I always feel like in this day of lawsuits...they
must not be too worried about you!  If that is any comfort.

Lets all stay in touch......it is true....."misery loves company"

Send good thoughts my way this afternoon, as I wait for my
results.

  Judy

[bbmax]

Sorry maan for getting the name wrong...also I did not notice you said you did have normal liver function tests. I still don't quite get why your  doctor didn't tell you if/when you should get another test to follow-up. You have been worrying for 6 months and not done anything? I know I just wanted to ignore it all but my doctor insisted I have another scan. I figure if you don't have any symptoms of being sick, proabably all is well. Still, another test (the CT scan) might put your mind to rest.
I hope this helps because I KNOW how horrible it is to think you might have a life-threatening illness.

[bbmax]

Look at the above posts including answer from MD. Try to relax. I suspect there are many of us in the same boat worrying (hopefully needlessly) because CT scans pick up things that are benign and very common that we would never have known we had if we hadn't had the CT scan!! The other posts explain the lesions. More tests may be suggested to give a definitive diagnosis but sometimes it is not clear no matter what you have done and you just wait and follow-up with CTs at intervals. If you feel OK, it is most likely nothing. Have some liver function tests (blood work) done and see what that shows. Have your physician explain the CT results to you.

[bbmax]

Hi, read the above postings including the answer from the MD. Lesions are usually benign as we stated in other postings. Once again, those CT scans cause  A LOT of anxiety and I am sure it will be an ongoing problem now that we have this technology and it is being more widely used. Unfortunately, most docs will recommend more studies JUST IN CASE a lesion is malignant. Usually another CT or MRI is suggested to start but nothing (even biopsies of the lesion) is completely conclusive. Often the physicians will look at the total picture of the patient's health and decide it is likely a lesion is benign but they may  be reluctant to be definitive JUST IN CASE. So my suggestion is to try to not worry and to follow-up when you see your own physician.Have him/her interpret the CT results for you. Please post here again when you get some answers and we all will too.

[meljean]

In August 2003 I participated in a voluntary heart study program in which I was given a CT scan for the heart which also included a scan of the abdomen.  I received a letter in Dec. 2003 indicating that the radiologist "incidentally" discovered a 10 millimeter low attenuation hepatic lesion on (in?) my liver. The radiologist suggested that it be followed up with ultrasound and another CT scan. Since this study is for research and not for clinical diagnosis, they suggest I follow-up with my personal physician. I did not receive their letter until Dec. 28th and was on vacation in St. Maarten from the 29th of Dec. until yesterday (Jan. 7th). I have been unable to reach my personal physician and am anxious. Could someone tell me a little more about hepatic lesions and what this means. I am not a medical person and would like some info. Thanks very much!

[Benson]

I'm off guys.........wish me well!  "Down with CTs"!!!!!
          
                Judy