Hepatocellular adenoma is a rare, noncancerous liver tumor associated with high-estrogen hormonal contraceptives. It affects mostly women aged 20 to 40 and can cause serious complications if allowed to grow. Surgical removal is necessary, and patients should stop taking contraceptives.
Hepatocellular adenoma, also called liver adenoma, liver cell adenoma, or hepadenoma, is a benign or noncancerous tumor of the liver associated with the use of high-estrogen hormonal contraceptives. Hepatocellular adenoma is extremely rare, affecting fewer than two people in every million annually, and 90% of cases occur in women aged 20 to 40 who take oral contraceptives. If a hepatocellular adenoma is allowed to grow, it can rupture, causing massive bleeding into the liver. For this reason, and because they can have malignant or cancerous portions, all hepatocellular adenomas should be surgically removed.
Women over 30 who have taken oral contraceptives for more than five years have the highest risk of developing hepatocellular adenoma. People with glycogen storage disorders, both men and women, are also at risk, and men are twice as likely to develop the condition as women within this group. Patients can have just one tumor or many.
Hepatocellular adenoma can cause abdominal pain, as well as the more serious complications discussed above. There may also be a palpable mass in the abdomen and, if bleeding, signs of shock including decreased and irregular heartbeat. In a pregnant woman, the condition can lead to the death of the fetus or mother.
Hepatocellular adenoma is usually diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Surgical removal of the lesion is the best way to confirm the diagnosis and can prevent serious complications. A woman diagnosed with hepatocellular adenoma should stop taking contraceptives immediately, although she should also avoid becoming pregnant until the liver has been cleared of tumors. Cessation of contraceptive drugs may cause the tumor to regress on its own, but the danger of malignancy remains.
Surgical removal of liver adenoma can be done laparoscopically, through a small incision, if the tumor is small and on the surface of the liver. Most cases of hepatocellular adenoma can be treated by removing only part of the liver. Liver transplantation may be necessary in patients with multiple widespread tumors or glycogen storage disease.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
