What is hepatic hemangioma? How is it treated?

In the clinic, we often meet patients who come to the clinic with the ultrasound report of “hemangioma” and are worried about it. First of all, hepatic hemangioma is not a real tumor, it is a tumor-like growth caused by abnormal development of blood vessels during human development. In other words, hepatic hemangioma is a benign lesion and does not become malignant. Hepatic hemangiomas can occur at any age, but they often present as symptoms in adults and are more common in women. Hepatic hemangiomas account for 0.5%-1% of routine physical examinations. Recently, due to the widespread use of B-ultrasound in clinical practice, the detection rate of hepatic cavernous hemangiomas has been greatly improved, especially for many hemangiomas without any symptoms. Zhou Zhongguo, Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine, Cancer Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, China This disease can be single or multiple, and can occur in both left and right hepatic lobes. More than 95% of hepatic hemangiomas are small in size, with a diameter of less than 3 cm, while small ones can only be diagnosed under a microscope, and large ones can weigh more than 10 kg. The disease develops slowly and can last for years to decades. The main risks may include: (1) upper abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea and gas when the tumor gradually increases or compresses the stomach and intestines; (2) life-threatening abdominal hemorrhage when a giant hemangioma on the surface of the liver ruptures on its own; and (3) pain and psychological stress in the liver. Although most hepatic hemangiomas are detected by ultrasound, the final diagnosis can rely on CT, MRI or ultrasonography. Since the growth rate of hepatic hemangiomas cannot be measured, the need for surgical treatment of this disease is still controversial. It is generally accepted that larger hepatic hemangiomas less than 4 cm in size, which do not cause clinical symptoms or are not severe, can be followed up regularly without surgical resection. Treatment is required if: 1. the nature of the hepatic hemangioma is difficult to distinguish from other hepatic occupying lesions, especially in combination with positive hepatitis virus indicators or a history of chronic liver disease; 2. hepatic hemangiomas with clinical manifestations, such as abdominal pain, adjacent organ compression, kasabach-Merritt (abnormal platelet consumption) syndrome; 3. hemangiomas with significant growth rate; 4. hemangiomas >10 cm; 5. hepatic hemangiomas in young women. 5. Giant hepatic hemangioma in young women: hepatic hemangioma has the characteristics of accelerated growth during pregnancy and the risk of rupture and hemorrhage during delivery; 6. Special occupations: surgery may be considered for giant hepatic hemangioma that may cause trauma to the liver if the occupations or enthusiasts are engaged in strenuous sports, such as boxing or soccer; 7. Surgery for hemangioma should be relatively aggressive; 8. However, surgery should be cautious for patients over 60 years of age, and surgery should not be performed without obvious symptoms. The main treatment methods of hepatic hemangioma are: 1. surgical treatment: a, hemangioma resection b, hemangioma debridement c, binding suture d, liver transplantation 2. hepatic artery cannulation embolization (TAE) 3. percutaneous radiofrequency (PRFA) 4. microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) surgical treatment is the main method of hepatic hemangioma cure, hemangioma debridement with its advantages of less trauma, less damage to normal liver, less complications, etc. It is gradually becoming the mainstream of surgery. For hepatic hemangiomas close to the liver envelope, laparoscopic surgery can be used, which is less invasive and results in faster recovery. Hepatic arterial vascular interventions have uncertain efficacy, are prone to recurrence, have the potential for serious biliary complications, and are only used for patients whose extensive hemangiomas are no longer amenable to surgical resection. Radiofrequency and microwave coagulation therapy are only effective for small hemangiomas (<5 cm), and the clinical application time is still short, and the exact efficacy remains to be observed.