Simple Liver Cysts:
.Simple cysts of the liver contain fluid and are usually a few millimeters in size. They are found in about 1 percent of adults and are more common in women than men, but surprisingly, women tend to have more symptomatic cysts.
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Liver cysts have a number of causes including parasitic infections hydatid disease; (See Below), cystadenoma of the liver (a rare liver tumour which has a strong tendency to recur and has the potential to turn malignant) and Caroli’s Syndrome where there is dilatation of small bile ducts with infection frequently occurring in these ducts (cholangitis).
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In some rare instances where the cyst comes from the bile ducts inside (biliary cystadenomas) or outside the liver (choledochal cysts) , your surgeon may recommend surgery because they may turn into cancers. The majority of cysts in the liver, however, are benign simple liver cysts.
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( Hydatid Disease ) Parasites
kmThe Echinococcus is a parasite. Humans acquire it from exposure to the feces of infected dogs or sheep. These cysts have to be surgically removed in an operation in which the surgeon has to be careful not to spread the disease. Hydatid cysts of the liver are uncommonly encountered in the United States.
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Tests
,Physical examination, blood studies and ultrasound findings are usually sufficient to distinguish simple cysts from other less-common lesions that can appear cystic. Occasionally, a CT scan is needed to make the distinction, and rarely a needle biopsy or surgical resection is done to make the diagnosis.
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Treatment
.Asymptomatic simple liver cysts need no treatment. Removing the fluid content of the cysts with a needle under ultrasound does not provide definitive therapy and the cyst recurs usually rapidly. However, very rarely, they may need to be treated because of size and the discomfort they cause. Treatment for a liver cyst consists of laparoscopically removing a portion of the cyst wall. The procedure is minimally invasive, and recovery time is short. Once removed, liver cysts rarely recur.
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Symptoms
.,The majority of patients do not develop any symptoms at all. Only when the cysts become very large – usually larger than 7 or 8cms can they cause abdominal pain and discomfort. Very occasionally the cysts can be felt in the right upper part of the abdomen. The upper right abdomen may feel painful or uncomfortable, and some patients experience a sensation of fullness in this area, and occasionally nausea or vomiting. Sometimes, a cyst can fill with blood, which causes severe upper right abdominal pain. When this happens, the bleeding usually stops on its own and the pain subsides within a few days.
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Polycystic liver disease:
In a condition known as polycystic liver disease, the liver is covered in numerous cysts, and can look like a cluster of grapes in a medical imaging study. People with polycystic liver disease may not necessarily experience problems, although sometimes the growth of the cysts later in life interferes with liver function or causes pain.
It occurs in some patients with polycystic kidney disease.
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Polycystic kidney disease:
Polycystic kidney disease, is a disease of multiple simple cysts of the kidney. It tends to be inherited. These lesions are watched and not usually treated.
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Benign Cystic Tumor:
The benign cystic tumor seen most frequently is called a cystadenoma; its malignant counterpart is a cystadenocarcinoma. The symptoms caused by cystic tumors are the same as those seen with simple cysts; fullness, discomfort, and pain. The liver blood tests usually remain normal, unless a cancer has developed.
CT scans are the best imaging studies to show the cystic tumors, which contain both liquid and solid areas.
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Cystic Tumors
Unlike simple liver cysts, cystic tumors are actually growths that may become malignant over the course of many years. Because of the possibility of malignancy, cystic tumors must be completely removed surgically with an open (not laparoscopic) operation. The recurrence rate after surgery is very low and the long-term prognosis is excellent.
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Dr. Otis Brawley looks at whether there's a link between liver cysts and cancer
Added On May 18, 2010
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