liver tumors

[leslie221]

i hope to post here is ok...it is the most closely related to my question that is not already full.

At the end of October during my 8th month of pregnancy I went to the ER for extreme pain which I though was galstones. There were none, however an ultrasound showed 2 tumors on my liver....one 4 plus cm and the other 6 plus cm.

On February 8th I had a CAT SCAN and now they are measuring 5 plus cm and 7 plus cm....

Though I have not spoken directly to my doctor ( I really do not even think she compared findings as I had to have the receptionist ask her for results and all she said was they were not to be worried about) I am certainly concerned about such rapid growth.

She did have the receptionist/nurse say that if they were bothersome they could be removed.

My Dr. is new for me and as she is an internist I though for sure I would recieve better answers....I am supposed to talk with her on Thursday.

I guess my real question would be, isn't such rapid growth alarming?????

I have not had another super painful episode, but I do oftern feel pressure in the right side of my chest and often discomfor in my chest when swallowing.

Please help!
Thank you

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

hemangiomas that are symtomatic in my experience are much larger than these. they also do not typically grow like this.  I would get maybe a 2nd opinion about what these are, especially if surgery for them is being contemplated.

[leslie221]

Thank you for your reply.

I recieved a message from my Dr. today that they are indeed hemangiomas and that they have grown in the last few months.

From the research I have done, 5cm or more are considered "giant", and a lot of the time it is recommended that they are removed to avoid rupture or in cases of discomfort. Mine measure over 5cm and over 7cm. I also have pressure in the right side of my chest...I have also have had two episodes where the pain is so severe it doubles me over and the pain starts in my chest and wraps in to my right shoulder blade. ( Thus my thoughts it may be galstones, which there are none).

Is surgery risky? I know it depends on the location in the liver, but I am concerened. I do not want to live with the discomfort and because the growth has been so rapid I think it is my better option.

Thank you

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

Unequivocally you should be seen by a hepatologist.  It could be that these are hemangiomas, FNH or adenomas.  adenomas are affected by hormones so its likely that they might increase in size during pregnancy.  At the end of the day, there is probably nothing to worry about but this needs to be explored further.