Liver hemangioma - worried sick?

[pumpkinspice43]

Hello. I have terrible health anxiety so please be kind.

I had some blood tests recently which picked up abnormal liver enzymes. I went for an ultrasound and they said I have what looks like a liver hemangioma around 2cm. I need to have a contrast test to look at it further.

I'm so so so scared it's cancer. The lady said not to worry and it's just a routine scan but I can't help but completely freak out as liver cancer is just awful. I have a new baby as well :-( Has anybody else had this? Was your test ok?

The first hits I got when I googled liver hemangioma state that they are very common and rarely cause any bother. The British Liver Trust seems to be very reassuring.

It's literally a benign tumour.

I'm just very worried that it's definitely that and not something more. She said she can't say for sure, which is why a further scan is needed.

They will always check liver hemangioma to confirm so this is normal but understand your worries. I think they are more common in women and it's believed to be hormonal.

What liver results were high? Do you have any other symptoms?:

A MRI contrast will confirm benign so try not to worry. It's just the NHS being thorough.

@Livinghappy thank you.

My ALT was 87 at the beginning of the month but it's gone down to 64 now. I don't have any symptoms.

That's interesting about hormones. I gave birth a couple of months ago.

I'm just worried as if it's what she said she thinks it is, why does it need to be scanned :( but I guess you're right, they just have to check these things. X

I have one, picked up on a routine CT scan after a breast cancer diagnosis. I had a further scan to check it in more detail and confirm that’s what it was. They are very common, I believe something like 1 in 5 women have one. It’s just that most people never have a scan so never know. But I understand your anxiety, waiting for scan results is awful. On the cancer thread we have a saying, ‘don’t borrow tomorrow’s sorrows’. I know it’s hard, but just concentrate on what you definitely know and try to keep your mind from the what ifs.

I have one too, measures at 13cm. I am being monitored and have a follow-up scan booked. It was found during a private ultrasound, I’m not worried at all. My ALT was a bit high, but normal now (I’m overweight, but losing). Try not to worry, OP, the information I’ve gleaned online is all very reassuring. They’re not terrifically uncommon.

Thank you so much for your reassuring replies. I think I won't be worried once I know that's definitely what it is. This was just an ultrasound so not 100% confirmed but the radiographer said it's what it looks like.

@dotty2 I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I really hope you are in great care and doing well.

I’m fine, thank you, doing well. I’m a year and a half on now. Sorry, I didn’t mean to derail!

I have one two 2cm and was also worried so understand. Yes they do an MRI to check and confirm but as a pp said really common.

I've got a couple, they look at them every so often as I have scans for a different condition. They can grow due to hormones so after pregnancy etc. mine haven't changed or grown in 10 years. I've also got kidney cysts which are also benign.

Ultra sounds are so much more detailed now- previously they wouldn't have even been picked up, mine only showed on a ultrasound rather than an mri in the last couple of years

How long did it take from your ultrasound to your mri to confirm? I don't think I can wait months!

@pumpkinspice43 It will depend on your area but try not to worry whilst you wait. As many people have said, they are very common and mostly go unnoticed but once identified Dr's like to check to confirm diagnosis. An mri is likely to show benign so consider it a "check up".

Your blood tests would have shown up anything more serious plus you would have had symptoms. The fact you had a baby recently points to benign diagnosis.

@Livinghappy thank you! Xx

Appointment has come through for tomorrow. Very nervous!