Can a liver cyst turn into cancer?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Liver cysts may potentially become malignant. Although liver cysts are mostly caused by congenital genetic factors and generally do not show obvious symptoms—often only discovered during ultrasonographic examinations—they do not usually require special treatment. However, it is possible for liver cysts to turn cancerous, thus they should be taken seriously. Regular follow-up ultrasound examinations are necessary to monitor changes in size. If a cyst shows a significant increase in size over a short period, it is crucial to pay attention and to consider surgical removal as early as possible to achieve better treatment outcomes. Additionally, attention should also be given to patients with large liver cysts; early surgical intervention might be necessary, as a larger size may cause pain in the liver area and lead to liver function abnormalities, among other issues. Therefore, these symptoms should be taken seriously.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can a liver cyst turn into cancer?

Liver cysts may potentially become malignant. Although liver cysts are mostly caused by congenital genetic factors and generally do not show obvious symptoms—often only discovered during ultrasonographic examinations—they do not usually require special treatment. However, it is possible for liver cysts to turn cancerous, thus they should be taken seriously. Regular follow-up ultrasound examinations are necessary to monitor changes in size. If a cyst shows a significant increase in size over a short period, it is crucial to pay attention and to consider surgical removal as early as possible to achieve better treatment outcomes. Additionally, attention should also be given to patients with large liver cysts; early surgical intervention might be necessary, as a larger size may cause pain in the liver area and lead to liver function abnormalities, among other issues. Therefore, these symptoms should be taken seriously.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can liver cysts become cancerous?

Liver cysts might possibly undergo malignant transformation. Liver cysts are commonly seen and considered benign tumors of the liver. When they are small, they generally do not cause noticeable discomfort and do not require special treatment. However, regular follow-up ultrasound exams are still necessary to dynamically observe any changes in the condition. This is because liver cysts might potentially undergo malignant transformation, especially under conditions of repeated inflammatory stimulation or significant liver burden. Under these circumstances, the cyst might show rapid and noticeable growth and might grow too quickly. Therefore, early surgical removal is advisable for better treatment results. Additionally, in patients with larger liver cysts, local compression symptoms might occur. Even though the tumor is benign, surgical removal is recommended.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How to deal with malignant liver cysts?

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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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.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Liver cysts can cause discomfort in which parts of the body?

Liver cysts generally do not cause discomfort because they are a common type of benign tumor and are mostly discovered during ultrasound screenings when patients do not exhibit any symptoms. However, if the cyst grows large, it may cause symptoms due to liver compression, potentially resulting in pain in the liver area and affecting liver function, which can manifest as jaundice. Additionally, some patients may experience localized pain, so if this symptom occurs, it is advisable to undergo surgical removal as soon as possible to achieve a better prognosis. Surgical removal of symptomatic liver cysts can improve the quality of life for patients.