Potential hemangioma on liver. So worried

[zar95]

Hello,

Found today when looking for gallstones. The ultrasound tech told me my doctor will be sent the result and they discuss whether they are going to do anything further.

He said he thinks it's a hemangioma.

My GP is absolutely useless and is renowned for telling people 'everything is fine'. Happened to me lots in the past with me and my kids and misdiagnosed us so really not confident at all. Honestly fills me with dread that the decision is in her hands as I have seen online an MRI is usually needed to confirm.

I last had a scan on my liver last year when I was pregnant and there was absolutely nothing on it and was clear so I'm a little worried about this just all of a sudden appearing? Is this normal? Has anyone else had one before?

The exact same thing happened to me when looking for gallstones. In my case it was nothing to worry about. Apparently people have them without knowing that they do.

@Asiama thanks for the reply. Did you have to have an MRI to confirm ? Did they just say it's ok to leave ?

I have one confirmed by an MRI as it was an incidental finding when being investigated for something else. No treatment necessary. It was described as a ‘bruise’ and could have always been there. It seems odd (perhaps) that your liver was scanned last year and it wasn’t there then unless it was missed. From what I know, they’re usually benign and don’t cause any problems. Hope you’re okay

Have you had liver function blood tests?

Hormones are thought to be a factor so not unusual after pregnancy. You could contact the liver Trust as they have useful information

@ontologicallou thanks did they give you the MRI after finding it from another type of scan?

That's why I'm worried. I had a few liver issues in 2020 and had several scans and the last one being last year so it definitely wasn't there or missed :(

Seems to have just appeared out of nowhere? So I'm worried it could be something else. Also getting a lump in my breast scanned so it's playing on my mind about them both.

@Livinghappy thanks that's a good idea I will contact them for advice before speaking to my GP ...yes last ones being about 6 weeks ago. All was fine. Ok I didn't know this reading online it looked like they are mainly there before birth.

Hemangiomas are really common, about 20% of the population have them - I have one. Mine was found during an MRI when they were looking to see if (my) breast cancer had spread.

If a hemangioma is over 50mm in size, they tend to monitor them more closely, but even then there's nothing really to worry about. It's just a mass of blood vessels and always benign.

Firstly, just to reassure you, the GP doesn’t get to decide on further investigations. Whoever did the scan , if they needed to consult other senior professionals for further investigations with for example consultant radiologists, they would then advise on the scan report what the GP needed to do. If the / consultant advised for further MRI it is the normal process that the report gets sent back to the GP and the GP has to do the necessary referrals they’re on. Seems lengthy but just normal!!
Do you know the size of the Haemangioma?? And what scan did you have where they found the lesion??
From the guidance I have read from what I am personally going through also, if the Haemangioma is under 3cm then Ultrasound is satisfactory for diagnostics. If above 3cm then MRI or CT is encouraged.
are you symptomatic?
when did you find the breast lump? You said you were recently pregnant? Are you breastfeeding?
sending best wishes x

Mine was seen on a CT scan I had for a bowel investigation. I was then referred for an ultrasound which confirmed the 'mass' so was sent off for an MRI which confirmed that it was a liver haemangioma - no further investigations or treatment since.

@zar95 Good point made by Milshi7, the report will generally recommend follow up action and you can ask to have a copy. Radiologists will ime, be cautious. Depending on size they may suggest an mri with constrast as that provides a very clear picture. They can just appear and are benign but you are likely to be monitored if there are many of a larger size.