What Are the Treatments for Hemangioma on the Liver?

Liver hemangioma, also called hepatic or cavernous hemangioma, is a non-cancerous liver tumor made of dilated blood vessels. Most people don't experience any signs or symptoms and don't need treatment. Hepatic hemangiomas are most common in people in their thirties to fifties.

Significance

Some liver hemangiomas may be large enough to cause abdominal pain, appetite loss, and nausea. The treatment of such liver hemangiomas depends on the patient's overall health, and the size and location of the hemangioma.

Surgery

Some hemangiomas can be easily removed through surgery, while others may be so deep-rooted that a part of the liver needs to be removed.

Bood Flow

Blocking blood flow to the hemangioma can cause it to shrink. This is done by either tying a knot in the affected artery (ligation) or injecting a drug into the artery (embolization). This does not affect the surrounding liver tissue.

Transplant

In severe cases, a patient might suffer from extreme pain due to very large or multiple hemangiomas that can't be removed through surgery. In such cases, the only solution is a liver transplant.

Other

Doctors may also recommend radiation therapy to destroy hemangioma cells.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Liver Hemangioma
• UMMC: Hepatic Hemangioma - Treatment