The cyst in the liver is a fluid-filled cavity, like a kind of "bubble" in the organ, usually filled with fluid, which normally does not produce symptoms or any changes in the body.
Most of the time, it is not serious and it is not a sign of cancer, however, in some cases, the cyst can be dangerous, especially if it increases in size over time. Thus, although treatment is rarely necessary, the hepatologist may request regular consultations and tests to assess the size of the cyst over time.
Generally, the cyst is detected in routine exams, such as ultrasound or tomography, capable of detecting its presence and differentiating the cyst from other, more dangerous lesions, such as tumors or nodules. Check out how to identify and treat hemangioma, which is a type of lump in the liver.
Main types of cyst
The cyst in the liver can be classified as follows:
- Simple cyst: the most common type of cyst, also known as hemangioma, which is often less than 5 cm in size and may not cause symptoms. It usually does not cause complications and therefore does not need treatment in most cases. Hydatic cyst: caused by parasites, such as the echinococcus, which are transmitted by contaminated food and water and cause lumps in the liver that, when growing, may develop symptoms, such as pain in the right abdomen and abdominal swelling. Usually its treatment is done with surgery; Neoplastic cyst: a rarer type of cyst in the liver that can be benign or malignant, such as cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma. They are usually multiple and of large size, which can cause pain in the belly, fever and tiredness.
To identify the correct type of cyst, a hepatologist should be consulted to assess the problem and perform other necessary imaging tests, such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for cyst in the liver depends on its type and its cause, however, in the case of simple cyst it is usually not necessary to do any type of treatment.
In the case of simple cysts of large size or that cause symptoms, the use of surgery to remove the cysts is recommended. Thus, when malignancy is suspected, the surgeon can collect a sample of the liquid and perform a biopsy after surgery, in order to be evaluated in the laboratory.
In the case of a cancerous liver cyst, it may be necessary to remove a part of the liver or perform an organ transplant in order to cure the disease, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, for example.
Learn more about how liver cancer is treated.
Possible cyst symptoms
Although it is rare, some cysts can cause symptoms to appear, such as:
- Abdominal pain; Yellowish skin and eyes; Weight loss or anorexia; Fever above 38ºC; Excessive tiredness.
Associated with the symptoms of cyst in the liver can also appear other signs and problems, such as an increase in the volume of the belly or heart failure.
