Diagnosis of liver tumours/nodules

[lala103]

Hi, My husband has a hemengioma and 2 tumours/nodules in his liver which was found through a ultrasound accidentally looking for the cause of pain on the other side of the abdomin.  He had a CT scan as well which came back telling us about the hemengioma and the 2 other tumours came back non-specifc.  He just had an appt with a gastorenterologist and is going for another type of imaging on June 12th.  This has been going on since January and we won't get results until July.  If this is cancer,, which we have been told it points to  isn't this a bit long to wait for all the appt's and results if in fact he has liver cancer.  Wouldn't there be more of a urgency?  I am very confused!

[lala103]

Thanks for the great advice!

[lala103]

Thanks alot for the good advice!

[boron]

If there is one hemangioma, it is possible that the other two nodules are also hemangiomas. This can be discovered by injecting a contrast substance into a vein, which then fills those nodules, if they are hemangiomas (investigation is called liver scan or hepatosplenic scintigraphy).

The other (reliable) diagnosis is a direct biopsy (through the skin) of those tumors, and checking them under the microscope. Such a biopsy would also show, is it a primary liver cancer or there are metastases from a cancer elswhere in a body (if it is cancer at all).

I guess some of these tests will be done after about 40 days. ASK what tests exactly they are planning to do. The reason for waiting is probably some queue.

You might want to ask a doctor again, what he thinks about those lesions, and what's the usual time course of growing. if after that, you'll be still concerned about being late, you may ask for reschedule appt, or to find other specialist to do the tests quick. I know it's a rough answer, but I don't know what can be done more.

[ayri]

your absolutely right in your urgency, you also must remember that they are professionals and if they thought that it was infact cancer, then im pretty sure they would have taken immediate action, non-specific in medical terms means the doctor needs more detailed tests to determine whether urgent surgery is needed or other treatments, my advise to you is to go back and ask for definite answers, you have every right to.im sure they will be more willing to ease your fears, you need to let them know exactly how urgent this is for you and your husband, good luck.