Liver cyst - anyone with experience? Worried sick.

[baw70]

I had an ultrasound scan on Saturday to look for gallstones, but the sonographer wouldn't say anything other than that she couldn't find any stones. Cue much worrying and a thread on here where some lovely people reassured me. Phone call yesterday from the doctor, results show a 2cm cyst on my liver, I need to go for a CT scan. He didn't give much information, just that he couldn't tell me anything without a scan, which I should hear about in the next week. I am in a complete mess. I'm an anxious person anyway, but this has sent my anxiety rocketing. I understand the results coming quickly, as my Health Trust has employed people from other areas to work weekends, to clear a back log, so I suppose they write the reports immediately and send them to the surgeries, as they go back to their usual hospitals after the weekend. I am worried that they seem to want the CT scan so quickly and have now convinced myself that it must be a secondary cancer, even though I've not been unwell, other than the occasional stomach/highup abdominal pain (every 4/5 months) that led to the gall bladder scan. I would be so grateful for any information as my imagination is running riot. TIA.

I think my results were supposed to be two weeks. I managed to wait a week and then I called the secretary consultant begging for the results. They faxed them to my gp.

I know I remember I almost bottled having my c section and I was the same trying to do a runner and only thing stopping me was my lovely surgical socks and open gown!

Try and sit tight. Know it's easier said than done. You can't change the outcome.x

Did you ask any questions at all? Or did fear overcome everything? I know it can just make you lose all rationale. I once got dressed to go home at an appointment for treatment following an abnormal smear. When the consultant came in I had my coat on and my bag on my shoulder. I stayed in the end

Hope everything is ok.

Thanks both. The chap who did the scan unhooked the needle, got me to sit up and then just said that the results would be sent back to whoever referred me and that they would then contact me. I could have asked about time scale, but I just couldn't bring myself to. I had a fear that if he said 2 weeks and I heard before that, it could only be bad news. I'm living in fear of the Dr phoning or sending me an appointment this week. It has to be done I know, but I'm really not coping very well and the thought of having to walk into the room for the results is making me feel sick.

I've come to this rather late, but I too have a lumpy liver. Picked up after I had DS 15 years ago. Had liver problems in the last month of pregnancy.

Had a CT scan then went back for a biopsy to make sure, and alls fine... I just have a lumpy liver!

I had no idea it was quite so common!

As long as it's a lumpy liver I'll be happy! It does seem to be more common than I thought. Glad all was well with you ishouldcocoa.

I had this last year. Scan for gallstones, no gallstones but stones in kidneys and a shadow on the liver.
Kidney stones still there, just being scanned yearly and the shadow was a clump of blood vessels, bit like a birthmark. No treatment needed for that.
Hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

I think it's bad news. I've just had a call asking me to see an Upper GI consultant in outpatients a week Friday. The woman didn't know anything other than that my GP had referred me for liver lesions. I can't function any more.

Sorry you are so worried

Can you speak to your GP and ask them if they know anything.

I've just done exactly that FrontForward, thanks for the flowers. He was very apologetic and said that he sent a letter out to me yesterday and hadn't thought that the hospital would get back to me so quickly. Apparently the CT scan hasn't told them anything different to the ultra sound. I have 2 lesions or cysts (different people have used different terms), he doesn't know how big, although originally after the ultra sound he said there was one cyst of 2cm. They don't know what they are and I need to have a biopsy. So more waiting :(

Try not to panic. My friend's husband had exactly this and the biopsy showed nothing to worry about. I know it is really hard but try not to think terrible things.

Baw I had to go as far as a biopsy for them to check that it was just 'lumpy' so don't panic. It was all done under local, so no great problem.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks both, for taking the time to try and reassure me. I'm a complete mess and am finding it all very difficult. I will update when I know something.

Hi, I apologise in advance for hijacking this thread, my sympathy is with you as I am as anxious and upset as yourself and feel exactly what you must be feeling. Wonder if the two ladies who have mentioned focal nodular hypaplasmia can give me any reassurance. I had ultra sound dec 2013 which showed a small benign cyst and fatty liver. I was ref to gastro for decision to do MRI for further assurance . Due to waiting lists in my area still had no appointment in June 2014. Had to pay £120 to c him privately just to get into system . MRI carried out July, still no follow up appointment in sept! Chased up and was told earliest he can c me is jan 2015 for results!!! Saw gp who had copy of rept which she told me said just shows some fat. So to see gastro specialist again for full results it's another £120 or wait til Jan! I was given copy of MRI in sealed envelope to take with me next Wednesday....and guess what I opened it ... It reads as well as fat , three small benign focal nodule hyperplasia areas each under 1cm. Omg freeking and tears so upset . I also have intermitent right upper quadrant pain( but not severe) lft all normal. Just wondered if the two ladies who have mentioned this condition have any idea what causes it. Beating myself up also had one glass if wine too many over the years. R my wine days over? Dies seem to feel worse after alcohol,but got three months without a drink and still feel twinges.My confidence with nhs is at rock bottom also. I really have rattled on... So sorry and thank u for letting me use your original post x

Hi Lucy, got you pm. Focal module hyperplasia is nothing to worry about. The specialist told me that we are often born woth the cysts in place but at a microscopic level, and that they grow with us, sometimes things can accelerate the growth but it isn't really understood why. They said it could be hormones but not certain. The good news is that they are totally benign and have no impact on liver function. The pain might be caused if they have a little bleed. That's what happened to me. They said to me that most people only find out they have them by accident. Usually picked up by having a scan for some other reason. Mine are 6cm in size so yours are small by comparison.
Hope this reassures you a little!

Thank you! Every bit of reassurance helps! I shouldn't have looked in the envelope but at least I suppose I am prepared and can plan to ask questions about it. Not sure if Wednesday can't come quick enough or I don't want it to come , lol thank you again x

Hi lucy1964, I've been reading up on all things liver - probably not the best idea, but I can say that if they were at all worried they would have fast tracked you, as they have done me. It's one of the things that's worrying me most, is that it will have taken less than a month from the first ultrasound, to seeing a consultant I'm sure you have nothing to worry about and don't worry about hijacking the thread. If anybody can benefit from joining in I don't mind at all x

Hi thanks for your kind reply. I too need to stop googling! I think you do it for reassurance but it probably raises more questions and makes you more fearful. Have you had Liver Function Tests and were they normal? Is pain in upper body your only sympton. I was told that if my liver was in serious trouble I would definately know about it. Maybe this will reassure you a little bit. My symptons seem to worsen if I have a drink, gone 3 months without a drop but boy could i do a glass of wine, for stress purposes lol. I hope you get your answers soon and they are good ones. My fear is as NHS appears to be at saturation point in my area they will just fob me off. When do you next see someone? Thank You again hope we can reassure each other, lol x

No Liver Function Tests as yet. I went for the ultrasound as a couple of times a year for the past 4 or 5 years, I had really bad stomach pain, with pain under my right ribs. It usually passed in a couple of days, but a few months ago it took over a week to go, so I went to the doctor. I had medication for stomach ulcer, but the pain returned so they suspected gallstones. Long waiting list for scan and the pain went and hasn't returned, so I wasn't concerned. Lists were backed up, so they started doing weekend scans and I was given an appointment. Ultra sound lady wouldn't say anything, but did confirm no gallstones. Within a couple of days, doctor rang and said possible cyst on liver, needed CT scan. A week later, CT scan done, a few days later hospital rang and said I had an appointment with an Upper GI consultant for liver lesions. I went to pieces and was certain it was cancer. Phoned doctor to be told they didn't know what it was and I needed a biospy. Not sure if the GP knows more than they're letting on and just doesn't want me to think the worse until we know for sure, or if he genuinely doesn't have a clue, not being a specialist. Appointment on Friday with consultant and I'm dreading it. I'm just about keeping hold of my sanity, but wouldn't wish this feeling on anybody :( Anyway, again, try not to worry, as NHS is under a lot of stress in my area as well, but as I said, they have fast tracked me and I'm sure that if they were worried, they'd do the same for you x

I hope all goes well for you Friday, please let us know x

Hello all..
I'm the Lady who has had FNH for at least 10 years. I too have upper right quadrant pain... feels like a cramp just under my shoulder blade...you know when you have a 'lump in your throat' there is no lump just a feeling of one... well thats what my back feels like.

My liver function tests are always off!

I dont drink much alcohol, becuase i find the hangovers KILL me, but if i just have one or two, just enough to get squiffy and then stop... then im okay.

I do have other health issues though (including PCOS) so sometimes its difficult to attribute the symptom with the illness...

But mostly things are okay. I wouldnt say my FNH has stopped me doing anything ....except they seem to be affected ie they grow, when i'm on the pill. I have had my ovaries out now and am on HRT, but I have to have the lowest level that is possible.

If there is anything you want to ask me... please shout out.

I have had a liver biopsy too... and it wasnt very pleasant, but its always best to be sure.

Hi icanhaveadarksideifyouwantmeto, can I ask if your pain is always there or if it comes and goes?

it feels like either my spine or my shoulderblade and it feels like there is a lump there... there isnt a lump, it just feels like that.

then there is the stabbing pain i get under my ribs that is SO painful that i cant breath with.

However both of these symptoms are random and rare and dont last more than a few hours at a time, often weeks appart

Hi icanhaveadarksideifyouwantmeto, was the FNH diagnosed from the biopsy? My diagnosis was purely from MRI. Is a biopsy the only way FNH is properly diagnosed. Is the MRI diagnosis a good guess do u reckon? Was this initially 10 years ago? Maybe MRI scanning a bit better now? All my LFT are ok. So many questions again .......sorry! x

my FNH was diaganosed through the MRI but because it was hormone driven it didnt act like FNH so they biopsied it to be sure

the biopsy was about 3 years ago

they have tried ultrasounding them to measure them but it wasnt clear enough