A liver, or hepatic, hemangioma is a benign tumor that is formed of abnormal blood vessels. A hemangioma is the most common type of noncancerous liver tumor, and is most frequently diagnosed in people between the ages of 30 and 50, according to MedlinePlus. The causes, symptoms and treatments of a liver hemangioma should be discussed with a doctor if a patient is diagnosed with this condition.
Congenital
As of 2010, the cause of liver hemangiomas is unknown. MayoClinic.com reports that a liver hemangioma may be congenital, meaning that it is present at birth. Additionally, women who are pregnant or taking hormone replacement therapy are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with this type of liver tumor.
Asymptomatic
The majority of people who have a liver hemangioma do not develop symptoms, according to UpToDate. Symptoms are typically more common in those who have large or multiple liver hemangiomas. Symptomatic individuals can experience nausea, vomiting or a diminished appetite. A large liver hemangioma can cause mild to moderate pain within the upper right portion of the abdomen. Certain people can also notice that they experience early satiety or sensations of fullness after eating only small amounts of food, MayoClinic.com explains. People who develop any of these liver hemangioma symptoms should consult their doctors for further evaluation and care.
Treatments
Treatment of a liver hemangioma is typically only necessary when tumor symptoms are severe or disrupt a person's daily activities. One form of treatment, called liver embolization, involves injecting a specific material into the blood vessel that supplies blood to the liver, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. This injected material interferes with blood flow to the liver hemangioma, causing it to stop growing or decrease in size. A similar treatment procedure, called ligation, involves tying off the liver artery so that blood can no longer reach the tumor. Alternatively, large liver hemangiomas can be surgically removed.
