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Hepatic hemangioma

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• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

A hemangioma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor consisting of dilated blood vessels. When a hemangioma occurs in the liver it is called a hepatic hemangioma.

Alternative Names:

Liver hemangioma; Hemangioma of the liver; Cavernous hepatic hemangioma; Infantile hemangioendothelioma; Multinodular hepatic hemangiomatosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A cavernous hepatic hemangioma is the most common non-cancerous tumor of the liver. It is believed to be a congenital defect, and is usually not discovered until medical pictures are taken of the liver for some other reason.

Cavernous hemangiomas can occur at anytime, but are most common in the 30s to 50s. Women are affected more often than men, and usually have bigger tumors than men.

Babies may develop a type of hepatic hemangioma called benign infantile hemangioendothelioma (also called multinodular hepatic hemangiomatosis). This rare, non-cancerous tumor has been linked to high rates of heart failure and death in infants. Infants are usually diagnosed by the time they are 6 months old.

References:

Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2002:1592-1594.

Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine , 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2005: 562.

• Review Date: 9/6/2005
• Reviewed By: Joseph P. Hart, M.D., Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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