Liver lesions

[judybee61]

In Feb 2007, I had a kidney stone for which they took a ct scan.  Two liver lesions were detected and I was sent for a followup ultrasound and contrast ct scan.  It was determined that these had nonspecific enhancement patterns and were benign.  I have had a followup ultrasound at 4 months, 8 months, and 10 months with no change in the lesions.  My liver enzymes are normal as is all of my other blood work.  I have had a mammogram, and visited the eye doctor, dermatologist, and gynecologist with a clean bill of health.  My question is, is it still possible that these lesions are cancer?  Wouldn't cancer have grown or spread in 10 months?  My new doctor has sent me for an MRI tomorrow, and I am still worried.  Please advise!

[judybee61]

Hey - my lesions are:  2.9 cm and 4.3 cm.  I just came back from my gp and he said that they are absolutely NOT CANCER!!  He said if it was metastatic disease it would have spread or killed me (lol) in a year.  But he said to put my mind at ease (I have an anxiety problem) to definitely go to a gastroenterologist,  So, as I previously told you, I am going to a liver specialist at the U of Penn next Tuesday.  I will probably make a day of it - my parents and sisters live near there.  Maybe they will order a biopsy to diagnose this for once and for all.  Of course, I know if it is adenomas, they will probably want to remove them, but I am trying not to think that far ahead!  How big are your lesions? (I hate that word, don't you?)  Take care!  

[momto2]

Hi Again! It sounds like you have at least got an answer about weather it is cancer or not. My lesions(adenomas they think) are 2.3cm and 2.5cm. I have not had an MRI since August so I hope they have not grown. I had a consult with surgeons and they recommended not doing surgery. I think opinion differs greatly between physicians about that. They said it is major surgery and I would be in the hospital 4-10days. The risk of surgical complications is apparently greater then just watching the lesions. I will be interested to see what your liver specialist says so keep me posted. In case they recommend surgery, I read somewhere that the the Hospital in Rochester(sorry I can't remember the details)Minnesota is doing some experimentation with removing benign liver lesions with just laser laproscopic surgery. The patients are home the next day! From what I read the lesions have not returned in 5 years so far! Take care and keep me posted.

[judybee61]

Hi again!  I am back from my trip to Philadelphia.  It was pretty interesting.  They have a hepatic tumor conference every Friday morning and they will present my case.  My films will be looked at by a panel of liver specialists, radiologists, and oncologists, so hopefully they will come up with a definite diagnosis.  I will hear from them on Friday morning, so I will let you know!

[judybee61]

Great news!  Both of my tumors are definitely 100% FNH!  I cannot tell you how relieved I am.  It was definitely worth it to see a liver specialist at a major academic medical center.  Even though I had to travel over 3 hours to the University of PA Hosp, I would do it all over again just for some peace of mind.  Thank you for your support and keep me posted!

[momto2]

That is wonderful!  I would like to have that peace of mind. Can you tell me how to get in contact with them? I am in Tennessee so it is a much further drive for me, however I sure would make the effort for that peace of mind. How could they tell it was FNH? Did you have the scar that shows FNH? Keep me posted. Thanks!

[judybee61]

I would definitely recommend the doctor I saw at U of Penn.  His name is George Makar, MD and his phone number is 215-662-4633.  When you call, they will tell you to send all of your reports to his Physician Assistant (they will give you a fax number.)  I waited about 2 or 3 days and they called to schedule an appointment.  The appointment was the next week - I thought that was pretty fast!  I brought all of my disks to my appointment.  They have a liver tumor conference every Friday morning, and mine was one of the cases presented.  A team of liver specialists, radiologists, and oncologists review the disks and come up with a diagnosis.  Most of the time they can make a definite diagnosis, but if they can't, they will send you for a biopsy.  I really don't know the characteristics of my tumors, or how they came up with the diagnosis - I guess I can request a copy of my records for that.  I think it is really worthwhile to see a specialist - keep me posted!