Liver Hemangioma – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Liver hemangiomas are non-cancerous masses made of tangled blood vessels in the liver. These benign growths, also called hepatic or cavernous hemangiomas, are relatively common and may affect up to 20% of people.
Though it may be concerning to learn about having a growth in your liver, it’s important to understand that these benign masses don’t develop into liver cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
Liver hemangiomas often cause no symptoms and may be found by accident during tests for other conditions.
Some larger liver hemangiomas may cause:
- Pain in the upper right side of the belly
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In rare cases, a liver hemangioma can rupture, causing internal bleeding that requires emergency care.
When to Call a Doctor
Contact your doctor if you have:
- Ongoing pain in your upper right belly
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
Seek emergency care if you have severe pain in your belly that doesn’t go away or worsens quickly.
Most people with liver hemangiomas don’t need treatment. Your doctor might suggest regular imaging tests to check if the hemangioma is growing.
Causes
A liver hemangioma forms when blood vessels grow in an unusual pattern and cluster together. While researchers haven’t identified the exact reason this happens, several factors appear to influence their development.
Genetic factors likely play a significant role. Some evidence suggests these blood vessel growths may run in families, pointing to a hereditary component. This explains why some people might be born with a predisposition to develop them.
Hormonal influences also affect liver hemangiomas. Many doctors have observed that these growths sometimes enlarge during pregnancy or when a person takes hormone medications like estrogen. This hormone connection helps explain why hemangiomas are more common in women than men.
Risk Factors
Several factors might increase a person’s chance of developing liver hemangiomas. While these growths can occur in anyone, they appear more commonly in women, particularly during pregnancy or when taking hormone medications.
Some people might inherit a tendency to develop these blood vessel clusters. Studies suggest a possible genetic link, as hemangiomas sometimes run in families.
Age plays a role too. Liver hemangiomas most often affect adults between 30 and 50 years old. Children can develop them, but this happens less frequently.
Other factors that may increase risk include:
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Birth control pills
- Pregnancy
- Female sex
Research shows that pregnancy and hormonal medications can cause existing hemangiomas to grow larger due to hormone level changes.
Complications
Liver hemangiomas rarely cause complications. Most remain small and don’t need treatment. However, in some cases, issues may arise.
Large hemangiomas (over 4 inches or 10 cm) might press on nearby organs and blood vessels. This pressure can cause pain in the upper right part of the abdomen.
In extremely rare cases, a hemangioma might rupture. Large tumors or an injury to the area can make this more likely. Rupture can cause internal bleeding, which requires emergency care.
Pregnancy can sometimes make hemangiomas grow faster due to hormone changes. Women with known liver hemangiomas should tell their doctor if they become pregnant.
