Ultrasound Update

[zellyf]

A year ago I had a routine u/s and they found 2 7mm lesions that appeared to be benign hemangiomas.  I had a follow up MRI and only one was visualized and it again, appeared to be hemangioma.  A u/s 6 months later showed it to be completely stable and the second one was still not visualized.

Last week, I had a follow up u/s shows that there are now THREE lesions.  The previous 2 are measuring 9mm and the third one is 8mm.  Again, they still give the appearance of hemangioma.

I'm a little alarmed.  Here's what the doc says:  the difference b/n 7mm and 9mm is within the margin of error for lesions that small and do not necessarily indicate growth.  The third lesion was probably there all along and just not visualized.  He and the radiologist want to follow up with ultrasound in 6 months.  He says he cannot rule out HCC without actually removing them but that no surgeon would mess with 3 tiny lesions that look like hemangioma (and I wouldn't elect that option if it were presented) but that he feels these are harmless.

Any thoughts?  

[NashPred]

I’ll admit that I don’t know very much about liver lesions, but from what little I have read on the subject, I tend to agree with your doctors explanation. I know it may not have been the result you were hoping for, but I still don’t think it is anything to be too alarmed about.

You say that your AFP has remained stable and the lesions are being regularly monitored by ultrasound and MRI so it sounds like you are in good hands and all signs point toward hemangioma.

I know that I have said it before, but the waiting for a definite answer is often the hardest part. With hepatitis there is always so much “wait and watch” that you’d think we would start to get used to it, but we don't. I sometimes still get anxious just waiting for simple blood test results. The good news is that the odds are very much in your favor of them just being hemangioma’s.

Did your doctor happen to mention how long it would be before they could give you a definite answer on the status of the lesions? Just curious because I don’t know how long they have to monitor them before they can say that it is definitely hemangioma’s.

I wish I could offer better advice or answers but since I have very limited knowledge on this subject, I can only offer you my support and positive thoughts that everything is going to turn out just fine.

[zellyf]

I have the radiologist's findings:

"The 2 previously seen nodules are again identified and are not significantly changed in the interval.  This is accounting for slight differences in imaging and measurement error.  However, a third lesion is seen adjacent to the diaphragm which was not visualized on the previous study.  This may have been present on the previous exam, but the dome of the diaphragm area is difficult to image."

Recommendation is another u/s in 6 months.

Thanks for all of the comments and reassurances.  They truly helped.  I so appreciate all of you.  

NP - I'm not sure how long.  I've heard 18 mos or longer.  I guess it depends on what they see.  The two MRI's done 6-months apart showed the one seen on MRI to be "completely stable".  I'm concerned that the other two don't show up on MRI b/c it makes me think they are different in nature from the one that does.  On the other hand, the one seen on u/s but not on MRI a year ago hasn't changed so that is reassuring.

Any thoughts on what the radiologist says?

[cajim]

Sounds like the radiologist does not think the findings are serious enough to deserve worry.  He even can wait for 6 months rather than 3.  Do you agree?

[zellyf]

Sounds like, but I'm wondering if that's good enough.

[cajim]

It's best to share your thought with the radiologist and see what he says.

[Peteshine]

Anymore news on the lesions findings? I'm thinking of you mate...