Liver Hemangioma Pain

Hemangioma is a cluster of malformed blood vessels. It can occur anywhere in the body. When the hemangioma is found in liver, it is called liver hemangioma. Although they are often referred as tumors, they are entirely benign in nature. Their size can vary from quarter of an inch to 2 inches. In most cases of hemangioma, there are no symptoms. In rare cases, sharp, abdominal pain may occur.

The incidence of hepatic hemangioma is as high as 7% in healthy population. Women are four to six times more prone to this condition. The incidence of hemangiomas is more in parous women in the age group of 30 to 50. 

Menopausal women who have undergone hormone replacement therapy are also susceptible to this condition. Although there are no known causes of this condition, the high incidence among women suggests involvement of female hormones like estrogen in the origin and growth of hemangiomas.

Women also have massive hemangiomas as compared to men. This is another indication that hormones can be linked with this condition. Hepatic hemangiomas can also be found in infants and babies, which are supposed to have formed while in uterus. In babies, they can be detected as early as 6 months, and can be fatal since they can cause heart failure or sudden death.

Since the condition is mostly asymptomatic, people do not know that they have a benign tumor in the liver until it is detected in an MRI scan, or a CT scan. It is often detected when people come for diagnosis of some other problem. However, in some cases, certain symptoms can be reported. Discomfort, or ache, is a type of abdominal pain experienced at the location of the hemangioma. It may also cause disruption with the functioning of the closely located organs.

Bigger tumors are more likely to cause pain or discomfort. In certain rare cases, they may burst leading to internal bleeding. If there is no timely medical intervention, this condition could prove to be fatal. Other symptoms include nausea after eating, which may sometimes lead to vomiting. Also, a person may find himself full after eating a very small portion of food.

The condition is diagnosed through MRI or CT scan, the physician may perform further tests to ensure that it is a non-malignant tumor. A biopsy is avoided in case of hemangiomas, in order to prevent risk of internal bleeding resulting from biopsy.

If the condition is not particularly painful or does not produce any other symptom, then there may not be any need for the treatment. Surgery is recommended in cases, where it is very painful or may pose risk to other organs. Liver resection surgery may become necessary if a part of liver has been damaged due to the tumor.

In rarest of rare cases, a liver transplant may become inevitable if the damage is substantial and irreversible. Embolization of the liver is a least invasive treatment option, in which the blood supply to hemangioma is cut off by blocking the blood vessels.

A substance named emboli is introduced in the blood vessels to block them. The tumor shrinks and, eventually, the pain subsides. Radiation therapy is another treatment option for this conditon.

There is no evidence that liver hemangioma could anyway contribute to liver cancer. However, once you are diagnosed with this condition, it is important that you keep a tab on it through routine examination.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.