enlarged liver

[carolcmw]

I am a 47 year old female under tremendous stress. My father is dying of brain cancer, the same brain tumor I lost my husband to. I take care of both parents and a mother in law. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1996, and have a lot of different symptoms. I saw my doc because I was having pain on my right side under rib cage that radiates to the back. My liver blood work was all normal. Today she had me do a chest x ray. And wednesday an abdominal ultasound. She said my liver felt enlarged. I immediately broke down and have convinced myself I too have cancer. I don't feel to bad except for the right sided pain, but I'm scared. What kind of things could cause my liver to be enlarged, with all my lab work being in normal range. It's going to be a long weekend for me. I'm really scared.

[Kalio1]

Please be sure and be checked for Hep C and B. People with Hep C are often misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia or CFS when they really have Hep C. It's a simple blood test. Google "extrahepatic manifestations" and you might see a lot of your symptoms.

[Shebah]

Hi,
I hope you are feeling better when you read this. But if not, I just want to let you know that being under alot of stress can do funny things to your body. I had upper right pain (I have crohns) and I was sure that something really bad was going on. The only thing going on in my case was gas. Went to the doc who said gas. The pain was always on my right side, and I couldn't accept the gas theory. Anyhow a few weeks later I had the same exact pain on my left side. I had to smile when I thought of all the pain I put myself through by thinking the worst.

Anyhow.. I hope you do feel better soon.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There can be several reasons why the liver can be enlarged.  This can include fatty liver or various causes of hepatitis.  Cancer would be less likely, as it would have been seen on the ultrasound.

Further testing, including blood tests for hepatitis can be considered.  If negative, serial monitoring can be considered to ensure to evaluate the progression of the enlargement.

Congestive heart failure can also lead to liver enlargement.  An echocardiogram can be considered to rule this out.

If the enlargement worsens or continues, a liver biopsy can be considered.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_