Multiple liver cysts

[Aimee1982]

Hi all, I started getting a full ache in my right side followed by stabbing pains last Feb. I was admitted into hospital with appendicitis however after 3 days was discharged with no action. I then got pregnant and the pain didn't return during this period. About 5 months ago, the pain came back so I went to the doctors. He advised it was likely to be my gallbladder. I had blood tests done. On the first one my GGT was 100 and my ALP was 236, and I had a CRP of 89. Then a few weeks later, my GGT had gone up to 117 and my ALP down to 210 and my CRP was reduced loads to 25. On this occasion, he tested my CA-199 which also came back raised. I have now had an ultrasound and the results have come back that I have multiple liver cysts, one being 5cm big. However nothing else showed on the scan except a slightly enlarged spleen.My doctor was concerned about CA-199 being raised though so is sending me to liver clinic and for an MRI. I am terrified it will come back as cancer. I am only 35 and otherwise I feel fine except the pain in my right side. Has anybody else experienced anything similar?

Can anyone help pls? I am really worried :(

Sorry, I don't understand the acronyms in your post. I have had lots of liver cysts, they are extremely common apparently and totally harmless. I've never had pain with them though. I do hope you get good news

Some explanation here

In one as young as you, alcohol or lifestyle (high fat or high sugar diet) tend to be the most likely causes of those readings.

Lay off the booze (if you're on it) and get your cholesterol levels checked.

Hi Elportodelgato, Thanks for replying. They are the liver enzyme tests I have had done for liver function. The CA-199 is a tumour marker for pancreatic cancer, Can I ask how you found your liver cysts?

Hi IntelligentYetIndecisive, thanks for your reply.I dont drink much to be honest, thats what is so puzzling. Just the odd cocktail if I go out, which isnt often.

CA-19.9 is not specific enough to determine cancer

It can be seen in healthy individuals and can be raised in certain other conditions.

Again cirrhosis of the liver could be a cause.

A lifestyle condition called NASH non alcoholic steato-hepatitis could cause odd liver results.

High blood pressure, pre-diabetes or diabetes (1 or 2) and a high fat and sugar diet resulting in high cholesterol levels can all combine to cause NASH.

Thanks :) Do you think the liver cysts could raise the Ca199 even if they are benign?

I'm not medically qualified to answer that question although I did spend three years in a medical setting reading patients' notes.

The raised CA-19.9 marker may or may not be linked to liver cysts.

Many relatively healthy people have liver cysts.

All you can do is make lifestyle changes and stop worrying until there's something to be worried about.

Good luck.

Hi Aimee, I have regular CT scans to monitor an ongoing health condition. They sometimes throw up 'things' on my liver which they then do an MRI on to check but which are usually normal benign cysts which I am told crop up from time to time as you get older. I'm 41 & no one has ever suggested these are abnormal. In fact I wouldn't even know about them if I wasn't having scans for my other health issue IYSWIM

Ah thankyou, that's reassuring. Hopefully will just be normal cysts then xx

Hi Aimee

I too have cysts on my liver. Then were found incidentally on an ultrasound for gallstones. I then had an mri to check them and they were confirmed to be benign.

I’ve had no more issues until in sept last year I had a repeat scan for gallstones and one of the cysts had grown to 6cm. I had another mri in jan and then scans were sent for w second opinion to liver specialist at transplant hosp and a couple of weeks ago I was told they are indeed benign and to leave alone.

It is very common for these to be found and often people love all their lives and know nothing about them.

Hope this reassures you a bit xx

Thankyou Le1890 for replying to me. I appreciate that and it is reassuring. Do you know if the cysts affected your blood test results at all? Xx

Hi

No the blood tests were normal. However, what does affect liver blood tests is pregnancy and post natal period. When did you give birth?

I had My baby 6 months ago and she was 12 weeks early so I had an emergency csection, at the time my bloods were all fine. Unfortunately she passed away aged 11 weeks so it's been a really stressful 6 months which probably hasn't helped me much. I am diabetic however so get my bloods done quite regularly and this is the only time my LFT have been abnormal. I wonder if maybe the cysts could be infected or something xx

Hi Aimee

I am so sorry to hear about your wee girl. What an awful time for you. ❤️

Did you say you are being referred for an mri?

Ah thankyou 😘 Well the doctor referred me to liver clinic as an urgent referral and said they will do an MRI. However it's been a week now since I was referred, and yesterday I received a letter with blood forms and it says, get the bloods done 2-3 weeks prior to my appt and I will get another letter with the appt details. My understanding was the NHS have 2 weeks to see a consultant if urgent and this would pass that time scale. That's given me a bit of positivity as I'm hoping the specialist has looked at my scan and bloods and not deemed me to be urgent, if that's how it works? Xx