What is a Haemangioma?
The liver is a large organ located in the upper right part of the abdomen. It plays a vital role in metabolism, digestion, hormone regulation, detoxification, and nutrient storage. The liver has a rich blood supply, receiving blood from both the hepatic artery and the portal vein. Its internal structure is made up of countless tiny channels and blood vessels that help filter and process the blood flowing through it. Because of this extensive vascular network, small variations or overgrowths of blood vessels can occur, and one of the most common of these is a haemangioma. A liver haemangioma (also called a hepatic haemangioma) is a benign, non-cancerous collection of blood vessels that forms a soft, blood-filled mass within the liver. It is the most common benign liver tumour and is usually discovered incidentally during imaging for an unrelated issue.
Understanding Haemangiomas
Liver haemangiomas are very common, found in around 5 to 20% of adults. Most liver haemangiomas do not cause any symptoms and are often found incidentally during scans for unrelated reasons. When symptoms do occur, they are usually related to larger haemangiomas and can include:
- A feeling of fullness or discomfort in the right upper abdomen
- Mild nausea or bloating
- Rarely, pain if the haemangioma presses on nearby structures
It’s important to remember that serious complications are extremely uncommon, and most people with a liver haemangioma never require treatment. The exact cause of liver haemangiomas is not fully understood and they are generally not linked to lifestyle factors or other liver diseases. They are more commonly found in women than men, and hormonal factors may play a role, as some haemangiomas can grow slightly during pregnancy or with estrogen therapy.
Diagnosing Liver Haemangiomas
Liver haemangiomas are often found incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions, as most people have no symptoms. Common diagnostic approaches include:
- Ultrasound A painless test that can identify many lesions in the liver, including haemangiomas. These appear as well-defined, blood-filled lesion in the liver.
- CT scan Provides detailed images to confirm the size, location, and vascular nature of the haemangioma.
- MRI Scan Especially useful for distinguishing haemangiomas from other liver lesions and assessing their characteristics in detail.
Next Steps
Most liver haemangiomas do not need any treatment, as they are harmless, do not turn into cancer, and often remain stable in size.
- Observation For most people, regular follow-up is unnecessary. Occasionally, a repeat ultrasound or MRI may be advised if the haemangioma is unusually large or if symptoms develop.
- Surgical or interventional procedures Only in very rare cases where the haemangioma is very large, growing rapidly, or causing significant symptoms might surgery or other interventions be considered.