Focal nodular hyperplasia is a benign liver tumor that often goes unnoticed and rarely causes lasting problems. It is caused by abnormal proliferation of hepatocytes due to a birth defect in the liver’s blood vessels. Women are more commonly affected, and surgery may be required if the tumor causes significant abdominal pain or if there is concern it may be cancerous.
Focal nodular hyperplasia is a type of benign tumor that appears in the liver. Most people with this condition have no adverse symptoms, and tumors are usually only discovered when patients are receiving diagnostic imaging tests for other health problems. The tumor does not become malignant and rarely grows large enough to cause lasting problems. When it is detected, however, healthcare professionals usually conduct thorough screenings to ensure it is not a similarly shaped cancerous lump called hepatocellular carcinoma.
Medical researchers have determined that focal nodular hyperplasia results from the abnormal proliferation of a specialized type of liver cell called hepatocytes. Irregular production of hepatocytes is caused by a birth defect in the blood vessels that feed the liver. Upon close inspection, a coroner can identify a central scar in the tumor where a malformed vessel distributes blood to the hyperplasia. Medical professionals can further distinguish abnormal hepatocytes from surrounding healthy tissue because they generally appear lighter in color.
Focal nodular hyperplasia tends to affect women far more frequently than men, though experts aren’t sure why that is. Most patients diagnosed with the condition are over the age of 30. The tumors do not affect how the liver works or cause physical symptoms in the vast majority of cases. Rarely, a tumor can grow large enough to put pressure on the liver and surrounding organs, causing abdominal pain. A chemical found in oral contraceptives can trigger bleeding into the tumor, although excessive bleeding is very rare.
It is common for this type of cancer to go unnoticed until growth is seen on imaging tests for other conditions. A doctor who is screening for cancer, internal injuries, or other disorders near the abdomen may notice the abnormal mass of hepatocytes. Once discovered, health care professionals commonly perform further screening tests and take a biopsy of the tissue to make sure the tumor is not malignant.
After cancer screening, most cases of focal nodular hyperplasia are left alone. The tumors usually stay the same size and may not cause symptoms. If a patient experiences significant abdominal pain, however, surgery may be required to provide relief. In some cases, healthcare professionals are unable to determine whether a tumor is benign or malignant, and if there is any concern as to whether a tumor may be cancerous, surgery or radiation therapy is highly recommended.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
