Lesion on liver...hand hold please

[paralysedbyinertia]

Went for a scan in relation to suspected gallstones, but they have found a large lesion on my liver. I'm being referred for more tests via the two-week cancer pathway. I'm so, so scared. Trying to stay strong for my family and not to assume the worst, but can't seem to stop my mind from going there. My daughter is only 15 and she still needs me.

Hand-hold OP I hope you get seen soon xx

Thank you @amymel2016. I wish I could just switch off and not think about it, but I don't know how. I know it might turn out to be nothing, and there is no point in worrying about it before I know what it is, but I am just so scared.

Is anyone there who has experience of this? I'm really struggling...survival rates for liver cancer look really bad.

OP...

I know we should all step away from Dr Google but I had a quick look on your behalf. There are so many types of benign mass that are commonly found on the liver, I was quite surprised by how common it is actually. Try and stay positive, I know how hard it will be to not focus on the worst case scenario.

I have 2 lesions on my liver (apparently ther since birth, so many people have this)

I am not concerned at all! Extremely common.

Thank you, @jaychops. I know that there are benign lesions, and that I shouldn't focus on the worst case scenario. That's what my family have said, too.

I just can't stop thinking about the worst case scenario. What if it's cancer and I only have a few months left? I'm more scared for my daughter than for myself. She is too young for this.

I'm probably being over dramatic. It will probably be nothing, but in my head, I've already leapt to the worst possible outcome. I have health anxiety at the best of times. Can't believe that I've spent the last year worrying about covid, and now this?

I'm trying really hard to hide how scared I am from my family because I don't want to worry them, but I'm terrified inside. Had to force myself to eat something but I really didn't feel like it. I just want to sit and cry but I can't.

@BillieSpain

I have 2 lesions on my liver (apparently ther since birth, so many people have this)

I am not concerned at all! Extremely common.

Thank you @BillieSpain, that's reassuring. Were your lesions ever investigated for cancer, or did you always know that they were benign because you had had them since birth?

As someone who suffers from health anxiety myself I can only imagine how scared you must be, try and take comfort in the fact that it is a real chance it’s something benign, easier said than done but try and distract your mind as much as possible.

I was admitted to hospital in September 2019 with a suspected gallbladder problem (I've never felt pain like it). Scans showed a large lesion on my liver. The consultant came and closed the curtains round my bed, ushered everyone one and spoke in a very serious and quiet voice. I was convinced I was dying. My DD was 11 months old and I honestly didn't think I would get to see her grow up.

Many years later and my lesion is benign. I need to get a scan every year to check it's not growing too much and if I get pregnant again I'll be monitored as the pregnancy hormones can cause it to grow.

Other than that I'm fine. Never had any problems since. Research has shown me this is actually quite common. Try and step away from Dr Google, worrying won't help (I say that but I know I couldn't not be looking things up). Wishing you all the luck and good health in the world.

Thank you @Superpanicky. Superpanicky is exactly how I feel right now.

What can I do to distract myself?

Thank you @Onebabyandamadcat, that's really helpful. I'm so glad that things turned out positively for you. Good to know that this is common.

And you're right that worrying won't help. I will try to stay positive, it's just hard not to keep going to where the fear takes me.

I am staying away from Google. It doesn't help.

They have to do it under the 2 week just to rule out cancer. I work in cancer services and over 80% of referrals under the 2 week rule are benign.

I know it's really hard, and I would be the same, but please try not to worry. Have you got a date for your other tests

I have a large cyst on mine. Picked up as I had phantom gallbladder pain post op. Was scanned more then no biopsy and no surgery. Told it’s not a problem.

@RainOnMe79

They have to do it under the 2 week just to rule out cancer. I work in cancer services and over 80% of referrals under the 2 week rule are benign.

I know it's really hard, and I would be the same, but please try not to worry. Have you got a date for your other tests

Thank you @RainOnMe79, that's really helpful to know those numbers. I have blood tests tomorrow but no date for other tests yet. She said I should hear something within the next four days.

Glad that your scare turned out to be nothing, @Blyatiful.

I went for a ct colonoscopy a few years ago as I was convinced had bowel cancer. My bowel scan was clear but they detected a lesion on my liver. I ended up having an MRI and it is a liver haemangioma (sp?) which is benign and requires no further treatment or investigation. Like you I was really worried and ended up researching liver lesions, but came to the realisation that many liver lesions are benign. I know how you feel but wish you the very best.

Thank you @ontologicallou, these positive stories are really helping. I'm glad that you were ok.

I have two haemangiomas on my liver and one simple cyst.. Chances are they have been there for ten of years, only found out whilst checking out my gallbladder.

Hopefully you’ll get your mind put at rest ASAP.

Thank you @Dontsayyouloveme. I hope so too!

Hi there

I too have a lesion on my liver. discovered by chance during an ultrasound for gallstones. At the time they were uncertain whether was cancerous and referred me for an mri. Even that came back not knowing specifically what it is just that is was benign. This was over 10 years ago now. I had a follow up 6 months later and no change.

I’ve had two more children since and went for another gallstones scan in 2017 when they called me in to tell me I didn’t have gallstones but the lesion had grown quite a bit. So had another MRI and also scans sent to liver transplant specialist unit in Edinburgh. Long story short assured definitely still benign although still no name for it! It’s been there a long long time and gives me no issues so I am ok with it.

However I was exactly as you describe when it was first found 10 years ago. My wee one was only 16 months. I had myself dead and buried. What followed was years of health anxiety. I am well now after years of therapy.

What I would say is please step away from google. Whatever you will read on there is not your story. As so many are saying here the chances are it is just an incidental finding. Although I know when you are in it, it’s not that easy to keep calm.

Thank you for sharing your story @Le1890. I am staying away from Google, for sure. I'm worried enough as it is already. It is really helping me to read about people whose stories have had happy endings, though.

Struggling to sleep at the moment, keep thinking about who would look out for dd and help her if I wasn't around.

I hope its not cancer. Liver cancer caught early is treatable.
Your body can cope with as much as 2/3 of it being removed and within 3 months it's almost regrown fully.

All the best with your tests.

Thank you, @Torvean. That's encouraging to know that it might be treatable if caught early enough.

It sounds really silly but I try to tell myself to have a “break” from worrying, so I’m not trying to convince myself it isn’t something I need to worry about as that never works, I just say to myself I’ll worry about this in half an hour, put a pin in it so to speak. It’s probably not a good approach and may well not work for you but I find it helps me if I manage to do it sometimes. Better to worry 50 per cent of the day than all day. Other than that try not google, clean out cupboards or other mundane tasks to distract yourself, anything to try and divert your attention away for short bursts.