Unknown liver ‘lesions’

Hi I’m new here and going through the diagnostic process - no diagnosis yet. Ultrasound found a ‘lesion’ on the liver but subsequent CT , MRI and Pet- CT scan and I think bloods still can’t definitively say what it is ie benign or malignant. I have some digestive symptoms - occasional nausea, slightly less hungry (although ready for 3 good meals a day), I can occasionally feel the liver ie dull pain near ribs on right hand side. Has anyone else ever had this? If so what was your outcome? Looking for advice. Very worried as ongoing waiting isn’t conducive to anxiety. Thanks for reading and hope everyone is doing ok.

[MINTVCX]

If HCC is suspected, maybe it is worth to check AFP level? But it also is not going be conclusive. In that case I think the dynamics of growth of this lesion can be helpful. But again not conclusive. Only biopsy can tell for almost sure. But your medical team can only decide.

[Hidden in reply to MINTVCX]

Thanks yes I know will come down to medics. I have an appointment next week and suspect biopsy is next step. Think they will have done AFP as had blood tests so will ask and see what that came back as . Just can’t see many posts or info about unknown masses and all online info says can be diagnosed from imaging! Thanks for taking time to reply and hope you’re doing ok.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Viking53

If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Granky]

My wife had 3 lesions but was successfully transplanted 5 years ago after having NASH. She enjoyed good health until covid took her 2 years ago.

[Hidden in reply to Granky]

Hi I am so sorry to hear of your loss and thank you for taking the time to reply to me. It is good to hear that prior to Covid your wife was successfully transplanted and had good health. I’ll keep you updated and take care.

[She-66]

hi

i had the same issue . Last Dec seen something on my liver … cts. mri , pets more ct . There were quite sure it was HCC. Due to my cirrhosis they couldn’t be definite . So in March I had liver resection where there removed that and 15% of my liver .

Luckily it wasn’t cancer was something called a haemangioma which they described to me as an internal birth mark .

Was a stressful time . think it’s just all the waiting around for all the test results etc x

Got my fingers crossed for you ☺️

[Hidden in reply to She-66]

Thank you and I am so pleased to hear you’ve had a successful outcome. Can I ask if you had symptoms like mine - mainly digestive? How long did you have to wait for histology results? I’ll update how I get on. You are right it is very stressful with waiting and may know the next stage this week, but won’t know any real outcome for some time.

[She-66 in reply to Hidden]

hi … i didn’t have any symptoms but then again when i got diagnosed with pbc/aih it was advanced as i have stage 4 cirrhosis.

i wasn’t getting fed back many results as it went to a few mdts with them not being 100% what it was

had original scan in dec them had my resection op at the start of march if that helps . i just kept thinking if it was a big big worry they would be moving quicker so was trying not to be over stressed

[Hidden in reply to She-66]

Hi thanks for your reply - it is kind of you to take the time. As far as I know I have no other liver issues so suspect symptoms is not the best news for me, but no diagnosis yet - will just have to keep on going until see way forward this week. Will see how quick they want up love with me as you’re right that could well be an indicator of what they’re thinking it might be.

[She-66 in reply to Hidden]

let’s know how you get on x

[Hidden in reply to She-66]

Will do thanks. Feeling awful at minute sick and don’t think just nerves. Hope to know a plan if not what it is.

[Milser]

Hi there I had digestive issues for years and years ago they diagnosed NAFLD and then Focal Nodular Hyperplasia and was monitored yearly with my consultant seeing bloods tests. I got lost in the admin loophole just before covid so never saw anyone for three years my fault I should have been persistent. Early 2022 (sorry to say I had similar symptoms to you) my Gp referred me back to hospital after the usual tests etc I got referred to a liver specialist late last year and a biopsy confirmed a new benign tumour on left and HCC cancer on right. They did a liver resection in Mar and took out both as left tumour was growing. I recovered well and due to go back to see my Prof next week and scan afterwards. AFP for me was 1 so not really a good indicator for me. Hope you get on ok.

[Hidden]

Hi Milser thanks for taking the time to reply to me. I hope you get on well at your appointment next week and that the news is good for you. I don’t know if they’ll suggest biopsy or resection straight away for me, but guess I’ll find out on Tuesday. How long did you have to wait to be told it was HCC? I’ll update once had my appointment but suspect will be the start of more waiting. Do let me know how you get on if you want to. Take care.

[Gus63]

HiHi they found I had a lesion after I was diagnosed with decompensated ARLD. To start only one lesion under 5cm diameter (I'm told under 5cm is usually the cut of point for a single lesion ).

I have now had the transplant (12 weeks ago). They suspected it may have been HCC but operated anyway saying it wouldn't be necessary to definitively conclude as I needed the full transplant as was very ill from the cirrhosis anyway and didn't wasn't to risk decompensating me further.

I would ask the doc if there was any reason not to do biopsy? Best of luck with it.

Gus.

[Hidden]

Thanks, Gus I suspect it will be biopsy or removal. Fingers crossed it will be benign but with digestive symptoms I don’t know. Have to wait and see. Glad to hear you got your transplant and are doing well. Take care

[Elf20]

Hi .. I am also going through the same issues. I had a lesion removed 11 years ago it was benign, however after a routine MRI I have developed lesions again. All my scans have show that the are benign and my PET CT came back clear along with all my blood test. I too suffer from digestive issues. I think you have to have full trust in your medical team which I have as I have the same consultant from 11 years ago. Have they offered you a biopsy? I have chosen to have the removed as they have slightly changed since June. I understand you anxiety as I am also very anxious at the present time.

[Hidden]

Hi thanks for replying and totally get your anxiety although from what you say it sounds like your scans have come back as benign. My problem is the scans haven’t told them if benign or not yet and combined with digestive issues I’m fearing the worst though suspect won’t know for ages. Am back for appointment tomorrow so think will either be biopsy or removal and more anxious waiting. No fun. Seems never ending. Can I ask did you have your previous lesion removed laparoscopically and if so what was the op/recovery like for you? Try not to be too anxious as your scans seem quite positive news if they are clear.

[Hidden]

Update: lesion might be suspicious but is still indeterminate so I am booked in to have it taken out in about 2 weeks hopefully laparoscopically and it will then be tested. So more waiting to know for definite what’s going on and what happens next.

[purplecatlady1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden,I was reading through your post from 9 months ago I wondered how you got on with the removal of your lesion and what your recovery time was like?

I am in a similar position, large lesion (11cm x 6cm x 6cm) found on liver during routine ultrasound to check after having slightly raised ALP readings. Fast forward to urgent ct and mri scans, but they still are classing it as indeterminant and cannot therefore confirm if benign.

Due to size and location (segment 4B of liver) the doctors are going straight to removal, I have a consultation booked with surgeon next week to get some idea of how quickly I will be operated on.

I have to confess, I am pretty scared about it all, I have absolutely no symptoms and no evidence of any liver disease, so it has all come as a big shock!

I hope that you are doing well after your surgery.