How to determine whether a liver cyst is benign or malignant

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 21, 2024
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If confirmed to be a liver cyst, it is generally a benign tumor. When the liver cyst is small in size, there are usually no obvious symptoms, and most are discovered during an ultrasound examination. For larger liver cysts, the patient may experience local compression symptoms, liver pain, and it may also affect liver function. Therefore, for larger liver cysts, surgical removal should be carried out as soon as possible to improve the prognosis of the patient. Additionally, for patients with smaller liver cysts, regular ultrasound check-ups are also necessary to dynamically observe changes in size. If there is a significant increase in a short period of time and the growth rate is too rapid, surgical removal should be carried out as soon as possible to improve the patient’s prognosis.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How many days of hospitalization are required for minimally invasive liver cyst surgery?

For minimally invasive surgery of liver cysts, the duration of hospitalization primarily depends on the severity of the condition and the patient's postoperative recovery. In cases where the liver cyst is large, causing pain in the liver area and even affecting liver function tests, surgical removal is necessary to achieve therapeutic effects. Laparoscopic liver cyst excision is generally chosen because it offers advantages such as smaller incisions, less trauma, and quicker recovery. It is often the first choice clinically, and patients can usually be discharged about a week later. However, if the patient has more underlying diseases, the recovery time may be relatively prolonged.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is a liver cyst hard to the touch?

Liver cysts are a common type of benign tumor in the liver, often undetectable through physical examination because most liver cysts are small in size and are usually found during ultrasonography. At this stage, no special treatment is necessary; it is advisable to regularly recheck with ultrasound to monitor any changes in size. However, for patients with large liver cysts, localized compression symptoms may occur, affecting liver function, and can be detected during physical examination. These cysts typically feel soft, not hard. Therefore, early surgical removal should be considered to improve patient outcomes.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is there air or water in a liver cyst?

Regarding liver cysts, the fluid inside them is essentially water. When liver cysts appear, there is no need to be overly concerned, as patients generally do not experience significant discomfort. Most are discovered during an ultrasound examination, and at this moment, there is no need for special treatment. Just regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in volume are sufficient. Of course, for a minority of patients, if the liver cyst grows relatively large and causes local compression symptoms that affect liver function, surgical removal may be necessary to achieve effective treatment. However, this likelihood is relatively small. Thus, when liver cysts are present, there is no need for excessive worry. It is sufficient to avoid spicy, irritating foods, and hard-to-digest foods in the diet.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Liver cysts and spleen enlargement, what's going on?

Liver cysts and an enlarged spleen are terms used in imaging studies. For liver cysts, they are common benign tumors and usually, the patient does not experience any significant discomfort. Thus, no special treatment is required; regular follow-up with ultrasound to monitor changes in size is sufficient. However, if a liver cyst grows large, it can cause pain in the liver area. If liver function becomes abnormal, surgical removal may be considered. As for an enlarged spleen, it is caused by various conditions that lead to an increase in spleen size, such as in cases of portal hypertension, which often results in splenomegaly and hyperfunctioning spleen. Blood disorders may also cause the spleen to enlarge. Therefore, the treatment varies depending on the underlying cause.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can liver cysts cause fever?

Patients with liver cysts generally do not experience fever. Liver cysts are a common type of benign tumor, and most do not exhibit any symptoms and are discovered during ultrasound examinations. In such cases, no special treatment is required; regular follow-up ultrasounds to monitor any changes in size are sufficient. However, larger liver cysts may cause pain in the liver area, compression, or even liver function abnormalities. If a liver abscess is also present, as it is a type of purulent infection, the patient may experience fever. Generally, simple liver cysts do not cause fever. If fever occurs, it should be taken seriously, and further examinations should be completed to identify the cause, and treatment should be directed at this cause to achieve a better prognosis.