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Liver cysts occur in approximately 5% of the population – approximately one in 20 people walks with at least one cyst. But most people don’t know about it. Only 5% of these patients ever develop symptoms.
What is a liver cyst
A liver cyst is a small sac or capsule filled with fluid, cells, or parasites. It can form on the surface of the liver or inside it.
Most liver cysts are solitary (simple), although some patients may have several small cysts. As a rule, they are all benign, that is, not cancerous.
Sometimes there are cystic tumors. Most of them are also benign and harmless, in some cases they can transform into cancerous growths.
In very rare cases, people with long-term inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can develop a pseudocyst in the liver, which are products of the pancreas that can accumulate in the liver.
Causes of a liver cyst in adults
There is currently no reliable data on why liver cysts form.
Some doctors believe that birth defects of the organ may be the cause. Sometimes parasites, in particular echinococcus, become the cause of cysts. In some cases, a cyst is caused by some liver tumors.
Symptoms of a liver cyst in adults
Most liver cysts do not show any symptoms. That is why most people who have neoplasms do not even know about them. But in some cases, usually with large cysts, the following symptoms may appear:
- bloating;
- pain in the right upper abdomen or under the ribs;
- a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the abdomen;
- pain in the right shoulder.
When a liver cyst causes pain, it is small and dull. Sudden severe pain may mean that the cyst is damaged, infected.
Treatment of liver cysts in adults
The cyst is usually detected by ultrasound or computed tomography (CT). Simple liver cysts are always benign. Treatment is required only for patients who develop symptoms.
Diagnostics
Doctors usually use ultrasound or other imaging techniques to look for a cyst. In some cases, the doctor will also do a blood test to rule out parasites in the liver.
Modern treatments
Simply removing fluid from the cyst with a needle is ineffective because the cyst refills within a few days. The best treatment is to remove a large portion of the cyst wall. This surgical procedure is usually performed using a laparoscope and requires only 2 to 3 small incisions and an overnight stay in the hospital. Most patients recover completely within 2 weeks. The risk of cyst recurrence is very low.
If a cystic tumor of the liver is found, it will be removed and then carefully examined – this is the only way to know if it is benign or malignant.
A very small number of patients (0,6%) have polycystic liver disease, in which the liver looks like a bunch of very large grapes. This disease does not lead to liver failure, as in the case of the kidneys – a similar condition causes serious problems there. But over time, PCOS can lead to severe liver enlargement and, as a result, bloating, discomfort, and even pain. In severe cases, transplantation is recommended for patients.
Prevention of liver cysts in adults at home
Since the cause of simple liver cysts is unknown, their specific prevention has not been developed.
Popular questions and answers
Answered questions about liver cysts surgeon, head of the surgical department Vyacheslav Cheremisin.
Treatment of parasitic cysts of the liver is carried out only surgically.
Non-parasitic cysts of the liver of small sizes do not operate. Dynamic observation is carried out – ultrasound control with an assessment of the growth of the cyst, its size, wall thickness. If the non-parasitic liver cyst reaches a large size, a surgical operation is performed.