How to deal with malignant liver cysts?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 21, 2024
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If a liver cyst becomes malignant, it may present with a rapid increase in size in a short period, fast growth, and possibly pain in the liver area. It may also affect liver function, leading to clinical symptoms like ascites and jaundice.

Therefore, it is crucial to address a liver cyst as soon as possible. The only treatment method is surgical removal to achieve a cure, so it is essential to complete relevant examinations promptly, exclude contraindications for surgery, and proceed with surgical treatment as soon as possible.

After surgery, patients still need regular follow-up checks such as ultrasound and CT scans to assess the condition periodically, prevent recurrence and metastasis. Diet-wise, it is also recommended to consume foods high in protein to supplement the body's needed albumin for better disease control.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How to determine whether a liver cyst is benign or malignant

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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Are liver cysts easy to misdiagnose?

Liver cysts are generally not easily misdiagnosed. A liver cyst is a common benign tumor of the liver, usually asymptomatic and mostly discovered during ultrasound examinations. The most common cause of liver cysts is genetic, so the diagnosis for patients with liver cysts is relatively clear. Of course, if the liver cyst is large, it may cause local compression symptoms and pain in the liver area. In such cases, it is advisable to opt for surgical removal as soon as possible to achieve a better prognosis. Therefore, the treatment of liver cysts should be assessed based on the individual's specific condition to achieve the best treatment outcomes.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What is the best treatment for liver cysts?

Liver cysts that are generally smaller than six centimeters do not require treatment, and surgical treatment of liver cysts is necessary for cysts larger than six centimeters. The most common surgical method for treating liver cysts is fenestration of the cyst, which involves removing part of the cyst wall. The cyst fluid can then be directly drained into the abdominal cavity through the opening, and as the surgery concludes, the remaining cyst wall adheres and causes the cyst to be completely absorbed. Another method is percutaneous drainage of the liver cyst, but this method may easily recur; thus, the best current treatment method is still fenestration surgery. Additionally, patients with liver cysts must abstain from alcohol and should not drink alcohol.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What should I do if I feel abdominal distension due to a liver cyst?

For patients with liver cysts, if abdominal distension occurs, it is important to promptly recheck with an ultrasound, which can better observe the size of the liver cysts. For larger liver cysts, which might cause abdominal distension and potentially liver function abnormalities, surgical removal is necessary to achieve therapeutic effects. Generally, liver cysts that are small in size do not cause noticeable discomfort and are mostly discovered during ultrasound examinations, requiring no special treatment other than regular ultrasound monitoring. For patients with larger liver cysts, it is crucial to pay close attention and perform surgical removal as early as possible to improve the prognosis.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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If a liver cyst is malignant, will it grow very quickly?

If a liver cyst worsens, it will noticeably increase in size in a short period, and the growth rate is too rapid, so it is important to pay attention. If malignant transformation occurs, surgery should be performed as soon as possible to improve the prognosis of the patient. For liver cysts that are relatively small, there generally won't be any noticeable discomfort, and no special treatment is needed. However, regular follow-up with ultrasound is necessary to dynamically observe changes in size. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant transformation can be achieved, and early surgical removal can improve the patient's prognosis. Additionally, patients with liver cysts should also avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammatory stimulation.