The University of Maryland Medial Center describes an hemangioma as a buildup of blood vessels in the liver. Liver hemangiomas, known as hepatic hemangiomas, are noncancerous and can become apparent at any age, but are mainly seen in women between 30 and 50 years old. Believed to be a birth defect, the mass is more commonly larger in woman than men. Although rare, in babies it is called benign infantile hemangioendothelioma, and is non-cancerous.
Cause of Hepatic Hemangioma
An hepatic hemangioma is also referred to as a cavernous hemangioma. A tangle of poorly developed blood vessels, MayoClinic.com states that physicians know of no clear cause for this benign mass. Believed to be congenital, meaning it was present at birth, it is unclear why it forms. Normally less that 2 inches across, it poses no threat unless it grows and begins interfering with other parts of the liver. Normally this condition is asymptomatic, but rarely symptoms may show as nausea, vomiting, upper right quadrant pain and lack of appetite.
Women and Hepatic Hemangioma
Most hemangiomas are discovered during tests for some other complaint. According to MayoClinic.com, this diagnosis in women may cause complications during pregnancy. During pregnancy the female hormone estrogen increases and may cause the hemangioma to grow, causing symptoms such as pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite and a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food. Women who receive hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms may also be at risk.
Treatment
MayoClinic.com stresses that most hepatic hemangiomas do not require treatment. However, if the hemangioma does grow and begins to crowd other structures, treatment may be necessary depending on the situation. The most widely accepted treatment is surgery. Considerations are the number of hemangiomas present, the sizes and the overall health of the individual. Surgical treatment options include removing the mass and possibly part of the liver; stopping the blood flow to the hemangioma, causing it to shrink and possibly stop growing; or, if the mass is exceptionally large, a liver transplant.
