I apologize for how long this may end up...I am confused and in absolute panic (I also have serious health anxiety):
Over the past nearly two years, I've had an enlarged liver with fatty infiltration, jaundice, weight loss, etc...and my gallbladder has had stones and a adenoma which had not changed between two ultrasounds. The liver inflammation went down, my bloods returned to normal, and my liver was recovering. My gastro said we would check the gallbladder again for stability in a year and decide whether or not my gallbladder would need to be removed. I have never had pain, nor any problems caused by it at all.
It has been a year and my ultrasound was completed two weeks ago. It showed a completely recovered and healthy liver which was no longer enlarged and had no fatty infiltration anymore. Also, the radiologist recorded the same findings as previous ultrasounds for the gallbladder with gallstones and an adenoma, no wall thickening, no signs of cholecystitis, and I thought that even though all was not perfect, it was at least stable. The gastro noted on the portal that he was going to talk to the radiologist about stability and follow up with me.
---Here is where the shock came in: I received a phone call from the gastro yesterday telling me that the radiologist made an addendum to my ultrasound results after the gastro had talked to him and that they had found a 2cm (really large) unidentified soft tissue something in my liver and although it's not extremely likely to be a mass/carcinoma, it can't be ruled out. I read the addendum which was added right before the phone call and it was described in great detail as a 2cm soft tissue finding that could be a group of stones, sludge, or a mass and had some amount of shadowing.
This addendum was made a full two weeks after the ultrasound was completed and only after my gastro contacted the radiologist to ask about the stability of the original small adenoma. Now the gastro is pushing for me to have my gallbladder removed even though he knew that was something I was going to try to avoid and he has set me up with an MRI (which I insisted on because he wanted to rush me right into having my gallbladder out citing this new urgency). I've read that a polyp or mass of that size carries a greater likelihood of malignancy and I am really scared!
Questions:
Why would the radiologist not have reported a potential mass that large on the original report and then added it on a full two weeks later (without seeing nor testing me again within that time)? I don't understand why the original report said exactly the same thing as the previous two, but was amended two entire weeks later to say I now may have a potentially serious mass.
If there was a concern about whatever this thing is, shouldn't it have been reported in the first place?
Also, does gallbladder removal put added stress on the liver? I have worked pretty hard to restore my liver health and I am afraid of taking a huge step backward.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
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SerenityFirefly
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maybe the gastro noticed something that the first person missed? They are the experts.
Having the gallbladder out just means the “pocket” where bile is stored is removed. This means the bile drip feeds into the stomach rather than going in en masse when stimulated by food. I had mine out 2 years ago and it was no bother and I was home the next day on gentle painkillers. Really no biggie. If they want to take it out for some reason, then you can live completely normally without it. I have normal diet and no ill effects. It really is straightforward most of the time unless there are complications, and makes little to no difference to your life or your liver.
Thank you. I will probably end up having it removed as it’s full of problems so it’s good to know that it will not negatively impact my liver. I am terrified of surgery (I basically died on the operating table years ago during an emergency surgery), but if I need to, then I need to.
The GI apparently just spoke to the radiologist about “stability” and did not review the images himself. I just don’t see why a potential mass of that size wouldn’t have been disclosed on the original report but only later after questions from the GI. Also, I’m not sure why a mass of that size would be suddenly present a year after it wasn’t. Though I’m scared of surgery, I’m more scared of this ending up being a malignant mass.
Gallbladder removal can lead to another condition called bile acid diarrhoea. There's a charity with a Facebook forum that supports patients with this disease:bad-uk.org/
The issue is that bile acid cycles from the liver around the pancreas and small bowel and is stored in the gallbladder. If this cycle is disturbed, bile acid can sleep into the large bowel (colon) where it triggers diarrhoea.
It would be worth asking questions from patients who have had their gallbladders removed about this disease. I still have my gallbladder but an (essential) ileocolonic resection seems to have caused it in my case.
Hi. I'm 60, female. I have gallbladder stones and cihrossis. My GP wanted removal of my gallbladder. I don't want it removed. Why if your liver has this mass, you don't have cholecystitis, do they want to remove your gallbladder. I would get this thoroughly checked out b4 they remove your gallbladder. My gallbladder is filled with stones and it is not causing me issues so I am NOT having it removed. The surgeon isn't keen to operate anyway as its too near my damaged liver. If it starts causing me issues, then I will think again. You need to get answers to any questions you have on this. I'm not having any operations done on MY body until it is vital. I don't understand why they aren't doing a liver biopsy on this. I am not a gp just so you know. I don't think I've been any help at all here. Hope everything works out and that you are OK. Best wishes Golly
Hi. Thank you for your response. The possible mass is in my gallbladder, not my liver. My liver has recovered and is doing ok according to ultrasounds and blood tests. I didn’t want my gallbladder out but now with this surprise, I don’t know if I can avoid it. I just don’t understand why a potential mass that big wouldn’t have been mentioned in the original ultrasound report.
I had my Gallbladder removed 10years ago initially no problems but developed the diarrhoea issue. That was solved really easily with a colestyramine powder once daily and have never looked back. Also my husband had his removed during his liver transplant on 24th June, he has been absolutely fine since. Think it’s luck of the draw to a degree, hope all goes well x
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Hi confused, I'm wondering why your gastro would want to take your gallbladder out too!2 weeks ago I was informed I had some gallstones I didn't have any issues However I had been trying to exercise and did feel a pain on my rofht side but was dull almost muscle pain feeling.
My liver doctor said not to worry unless I have an emergency not to remove my gallbladder!
Then that Saturday I had a gallbladder attack!!! Totally freaked me out I thought I was dying!!! I am I just knew I was having a heartattack! I wouldn't go by ambulance since I didn't have someone to care fir my fur babies! I some may say I'm cra-cra!
I survived the gallbladder attack 5.5 hours later I was able to drive myself home. Since then I've been reading & researching, from what I can see unless you have an attack and more than once per my liver doctor its best to keep it!
As to why the doctor changed your report I would get a 2nd opinion and 2nd testing done!
Sadly, we.have ti keep in mind these doctors were big business $$$!!!
Sounds very fishy to me. I would do everything possible to keep my gallbladder. It’s there for a reason. Also, I learned recently that “masses” and parasites look the same on MRI and Ultrasound. My husband has been passing parasites, including liver flukes which reside in the liver, gallbladder and biliary ducts. If it was me, I’d rule out parasites and do everything earthly possible to save my gallbladder.
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