Liver Hemangioma Options

[Erin_sa007]

Can the beta blocker Propranolol work on giant liver hemangiomas in adults?  It looks to be working in reducing the size of infant hemangiomas. What are other options? I have 4 in my liver & the largest is 14cm.  It grew because of pregnancy. I'm in good shape, 31 & 135 ilbs. My doctor referred me to a surgeon & didn't really want to discuss propranolol.

[HectorSF]

Liver hemangioma is a noncancerous mass that occurs in the liver that is made up of a tangle of blood vessels.

Learn about liver hemangioma. Write down questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment. Also ask about good sources of information that your doctor recommends.

Know what the symptoms of a growing liver hemangioma. Ask your doctor about what signs and symptoms may indicate that your liver hemangioma is growing or causing complications. Signs and symptoms might include persistent pain in the upper right area of your abdomen, nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor which symptoms should they occur should you call the doctor's office or go to the ER.


I hope this helps you.
Best of luck with your treatment.
Hector

[HectorSF]

The majority of liver hemangiomas are discovered during a test or procedure for something else. If it's thought that you have a liver mass, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (Gastroenterologist) or one who specializes in the liver (Hepatologist).

"Treatment for liver hemangioma that causes signs and symptoms
If a liver hemangioma grows large enough to push on nearby structures in your abdomen, it can cause signs and symptoms and may signal that you need treatment. Liver hemangioma treatment depends on your situation, such as the location and size of the hemangioma, whether you have more than one hemangioma, your overall health and your preferences.

Treatment options may include:

* Surgery to remove the liver hemangioma. If the hemangioma can be easily separated from the liver, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the mass.

* Surgery to remove part of the liver, including the hemangioma. In some cases, surgeons may need to remove a portion of your liver along with the hemangioma.

* Procedures to stop blood flow to the hemangioma. Your surgeon may recommend stopping blood flow through the main artery to the hemangioma. Blood flow can be stopped by tying off the artery (hepatic artery ligation) or injecting medication into the artery to block it (arterial embolization). Without a blood supply, the mass may stop growing or shrink. The healthy liver tissue is unharmed, though, because it can draw blood from other nearby vessels.

* Liver transplant surgery. In very rare situations, if you have a very large hemangioma or multiple hemangiomas that can't be treated by other means, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your liver and replace it with a liver from a donor.

* Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams, such as X-rays, to damage the cells of the hemangioma. This treatment is rarely used.

Hector

[HectorSF]

In infants, the hemangiomas that are treated with beta-blockers are hemangiomas in the fatty layer of the skin of the face NOT liver hemangiomas.

Beta-blockers have been shown to significantly suppress large hemangiomas, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. The use of beta blockers currently requires initial ICU monitoring, and is generally restricted to significant steroid-resistant hemangiomas that are life or vision threatening, or likely to otherwise cause severe facial deformity. As more experience is gained with this therapy, therapeutic indications and protocols will evolve appropriately.

So beta-blockers are not used to treat adult patients with hemangiomas of the liver.

Hector