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What Is A Tumor?
Tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that form when cells
begin to reproduce at an increased rate. The liver can grow
both non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) tumors.
What are non-cancerous liver tumors?
Non-cancerous (benign) tumors are quite common and usually
do not produce symptoms. Often, they are not diagnosed until
an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scan is performed. There are several
types of benign liver tumors, including the following:
hepatocellular adenoma:
This benign tumor occurs most often in women of childbearing
age. Most of these tumors remain undetected. Sometimes, an
adenoma will rupture and bleed into the abdominal cavity,
requiring surgery. Adenomas rarely become cancerous.
hemangioma:
This type of benign tumor is a mass of abnormal blood vessels.
Up to five percent of adults have small liver hemangiomas
that cause no symptoms. Treatment is usually not required.
Sometimes, infants with large liver hemangiomas require surgery
to prevent clotting and heart failure.
What are cancerous liver tumors?
Cancerous (malignant) tumors in the liver have either originated
in the liver (primary liver cancer) or spread from cancer
sites elsewhere in the body (metastatic liver cancer). Most
cancerous tumors in the liver are metastatic.
What is hepatoma (primary liver cancer)?
Also called hepatocellular carcinoma, this is the most common
form of primary liver cancer. Chronic infection with hepatitis
B and C increases the risk of developing this type of cancer.
Other causes include cancer-causing substances, alcoholism,
and chronic liver cirrhosis.
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