Liver lesions (benign and malignant) Flashcards
You find a solid liver lesion in an older patient without liver disease. What is the most likely cause?
Malignant metastasis from elsewhere in the body.
You find a solid liver lesion in a chronic liver disease patient (cirrhosis or active hep B). What is the most likely cause>
Primary liver cancer
You find a solid liver tumour in a non cirrhotic young patient. WHat is the cause?
Haemangioma- benign
What is a hepatoma?
Cancer of the liver
Why are liver lesions a common clinical problem and why can this cause anxiety?
All cirrhotic patients are screened for hepatomas.
Imaging for abdo pain or abnormal LFT’s
Imaging for respiratory problems
Body scanning for health checks.
ALL can pick up an INCIDENTAL lesion in the liver but most are benign and asymptomatic but cause cancer anxiety.
What percentage of the population have a focal liver lesion?
5-10%
Most are benign
What are the 4 types of benign liver lesion?
Haemangioma
Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
Adenoma
Liver cysts
What are the types of primary liver cancers?
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma (Fibrolamellar carcinoma, Hepatoblastoma (Angiosarcoma and Haemangioendothilioma))
What is the most common benign liver tumour?
Haemangioma.
Found in 5% of autopsies
Female > Male
What are the characteristics of haemangioma?
Hypervascular tumour
Usually singular and small
Well demarcated capsule
Asymptomatic
How is a Haemangioma diagnosed?
USS: echogenic spot and well demarkated
CT; Venous enhancement from periphery to center
MRI: High intensity area
NO biopsy needed
What is the treatment for Haemangioma?
No treatment
What are the characteristics of Focal Nodular Hyperplasia?
Benign nodule formation of normal liver tissue.
Central scar with radiating branches to periphery (hub and spoke)
Hyperplastic response to abnormal arterial flow
What congenital vascular anomalies are associted with Focal Nodular Hyperplasia?
Osler-Weber-Rendu
Liver haemangioma
(in 20% of cases)
What cells are seen at histology with focal nodular hyperplasia?
All liver cells- sinusoids, Bile ductules and Kupffer cells
In which demographic is focal nodular hyperplasia most common?
Young and middle aged women but NO association with sex hormones or pill
How is focal nodular hyperplasia diagnosed?
USS: nodule with varying echogenicity
CT: Hypervascular mass with central scar- light up
MRI: Iso or hypo intense
Biopsy: normal hepatocytes and Kupffer cells with central core.
What treatment is for focal nodular hyperplasia?
No treatment required
What are the characteristics of hepatic adenomas?
Benign neoplam compossed of ONLY normal hepatocytes (no portal tract, cental veins or bile ducts)
Solitary fat containing lesion
Which benign lesion is associated with malignant transformation which is more common in males?
Hepatic adenoma
Which benign liver lesion is associated with sex hormones?
Hepatic adenoma.
Contraceptive pill and anabolic steroids.
In which demographic is hepatic adenoma most common and where is the most common site?
Most common in women 10:1
Mostly found in the right liver lobe
How does hepatic adenoma present?
Usually asymptomatic May have RUQ pain or present with rupture, haemorrhage or malignant transformation (rare)
Adenomatosis is the state of multiple adenomas, what is this associated with?
Glycogen storage disease
Risk of adenomas is associted with duration of oral contraceptive use (described with just 6 months use) Does regression occur after discontinuation?
Yes
How is Hepatic adenoma diagnosed?
USS: Filling defect
CT: Diffuse arterial enhancement
MRI: Hypo or hyper intense lesion
Biopsy may be required.