Liver Cystic Tumor
Liver cysts can be defined as fluid-filled growths of the liver.
Liver cysts are more common in females than males and are often observed in those between 30-70 years old. Most liver cysts are benign in nature, and they are considered simple cysts. However, doctors usually will pay more attention to cysts with irregular edges, thickened walls, nodules within the cyst, and those with a thick septum within the cysts.
Liver cysts can be caused by a variety of reasons, including:
- Congenital (born with it)
- Genetics and heredity
- Polycystic liver disease, and
- the majority are idiopathic.
Symptoms:
Most of the time, the liver cysts are identified incidentally from the scans performed for not related conditions. Liver cysts can range from a few millimetres to as big as 20-30 centimetres. Patient with small cyst usually has no symptoms, and they do not need any treatment for it. A big liver cyst can stretch the liver capsules and compress the surrounding organs leading to the following symptoms:
- Dull pain over the right side of the upper abdomen.
- Fullness or mass over the right abdomen below the right rib cage.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Feeling of fullness despite eating less.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fever and pain (when the cyst becomes infected)
Treatment:
A simple cyst does not require surgical resection. However, sometimes further follow-up imaging with ultrasound or MRIs may be required to ensure the benign nature of the cysts.
Only large symptomatic cysts and cysts with malignant potential will require surgical treatment. The large symptomatic cyst can be treated with laparoscopic fenestration, while cystic tumour with malignant features needs surgical resection.
