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What Causes Small Mass In The Right Lobe Of Liver?

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015

Question: My wife had a ultrasound done on dec 1st/2014 and they found a small mass in the right lobe of the liver and it was recommended she follow up with a cat scan. Cat scan was done on XXXXXXX 8th and I quote the opinion of the radiologist ' Small mass in segment 3 has the typical enhancement characteristics of a cavernous hemangioma . However the mass in the right lobe does not share the same enhancement pattern. This is more concerning for malignancy , including metastatic or cholangiocarcinoma . An typical cavernous hemangioma is of much lower likelihood . Percutaneous biopsy is recommended.'
No abnormality of the gallbladder and bile ducts, kidneys, adrenal, spleen or pancreas is seen. No lymphadenopathy is demonstrated.

What does this all mean for my wife?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
More tests to be done

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

Your wife is having a space occupying lesion in the liver.
There are many causes for space occupying lesion in the liver.
Most of them are benign (harmless).
But some can be malignant.
Hemangioma is a benign lesion. It is an abnormally developed blood vessel,usually does not cause any symptom and does not require any treatment. The lesion in segment 3 of liver looks like a hemangioma.
But the lesions in the right lobe of liver does not have the features of hemagioma. It looks more like malignancy (Cancerous). But it has to be confirmed.
For confirmation a biopsy has to be done. A bit of the tissue is taken from that part and examined under microscope to see whether it is benign or malignant.

I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (21 minutes later)

If it is cancer is it treatable thanks I attached a new image which was the ultrasound findings that lead to the cat scan.
What is a discrete hypoechoic ring

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes if it is cancer it is treatable.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Yes if it is cancer it is treatable. But the outcome depends on the stage of cancer.
The discrete hypoechoic ring is the isolated space occupying lesion which may indicate anything from a simple cyst to malignancy.
Thats why a CT scan was done to know what it is.

Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 hours later)

Will she be told that day of her biopsy if it is cancer Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may take a day or two

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It may take a day or two before you get the biopsy report whether it is malignant or benign

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (58 minutes later)

How is the biopsy done my wife is really nervous full of anxity about it Thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
With a biopsy needle.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Biopsy is done with a biopsy needle.
After making the skin and the other overlying tissue numb with anesthetic medication, the needle is introduced inside up to the lesion in the liver and a small bit of it is removed.
This is processed and examined under microscope.
After the procedure she will be give painkiller medication.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T