Hepatic hemangioma is a liver tumor that is chiefly composed of abnormally large blood vessels. Hemangiomas are the most common noncancerous tumors that originate from the liver, according to MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website. Hepatic hemangiomas are believed to be a birth defect and are most often diagnosed in patients aged 30 to 50. Women are more commonly affected and usually have larger tumors. Typically, treatment is not needed, but if the tumor is interfering with the patient’s quality of life, treatment can be provided.
Blocking of an Artery
Hepatic hemangiomas require blood supply to grow and survive. Without a proper blood supply, the hemangiomas begin to shrink and will eventually die. In order to accomplish this, surgeons insert material into the specific artery that is supplying the hemangioma. This procedure is called embolization of the liver, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Once the artery has been blocked, blood supply to the tumor is stopped. Regular examinations should be performed in order to ensure that the tumor is not receiving any blood and that it is degenerating.
Radiation Therapy
In some cases of hepatic hemangioma, doctors may decide to use radiation to treat the tumor, reports MayoClinic.com. Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat various other tumors and cancers. The procedure uses powerful radiation energy, such as X-rays, to damage the cells of the hepatic hemangioma. When enough cells are damaged the tumor will begin to decrease in change and perish.
Surgical Removal of the Hepatic Hemangioma
One of the more direct treatments for a hepatic, or liver, hemangioma is a surgery to remove the tumor, according to MedlinePlus. This is only a viable treatment option if the tumor is easily separated from the liver. If the hemangioma is too tightly bound to the liver, then surgical removal of the tumor could damage the organ. Typically, surgeons can deduce whether the tumor is a candidate for surgical removal using various imaging techniques. However, some hepatic hemangiomas need to be evaluated during the surgical procedure itself. If the surgeon is unable to remove the tumor itself, he may opt to remove a small part of the liver along with the hemangioma. This is acceptable because liver cells are able to regenerate after the surgery.
Liver Transplant Surgery
Patients who have very large or multiple hepatic hemangiomas may require a liver transplant, states MayoClinic.com. This only occurs in rare situation in which the hemangioma cannot be treated by any other means. This type of surgery is very expensive and there may be a difficulty in finding a viable donor.
