What is the best treatment for liver cysts?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on December 16, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
55sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
50sec home-news-image

Is inflammation of a liver cyst always accompanied by severe fever?

If a patient with a liver cyst experiences inflammation, and presents with a high fever indicating a relatively severe condition, it is crucial to start treatment with antibiotics to combat the infection as soon as possible. Only after the inflammation is under control can the condition be alleviated. If the inflammation is not controlled in time, it may develop into a liver abscess, which is a serious and critical condition, thus early treatment is crucial. Moreover, patients should also avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory irritation, which can better facilitate the recovery from the condition. The diet should include more protein-rich foods such as eggs, lean meats, and fish, which can provide the necessary energy and improve resistance, beneficial for the recovery of the condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
51sec home-news-image

Do you need surgery for a two-centimeter liver cyst?

A liver cyst of 2 cm currently does not require surgical treatment. A liver cyst is a benign tumor of the liver, and most are caused by congenital factors. Patients generally do not experience any discomfort and are mostly discovered during ultrasound exams. Therefore, small-volume liver cysts generally do not require special treatment. If the diameter is 2 cm, this is relatively small and does not require special treatment. However, it is still necessary to regularly recheck with ultrasound to monitor any changes in size dynamically. If there is a rapid increase in size over a short period, it should be taken seriously. Additionally, liver cysts generally do not affect liver function. If liver function abnormalities occur, surgical removal may be necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
41sec home-news-image

Is a two-centimeter liver cyst a problem?

If the liver cyst is two centimeters in size, the condition is relatively mild at this stage. When the volume of the liver cyst is small, it generally does not present noticeable symptoms, and most are discovered through ultrasound imaging. At this stage, no special treatment is needed; regular follow-up with ultrasound to dynamically observe any changes in size will suffice. Therefore, if the size is two centimeters, the condition is relatively mild, and there is no need to be overly anxious. Of course, if the liver cyst is larger, the patient may experience pain in the liver area, or even impairment of liver function, in which case surgery should be performed as soon as possible for better treatment outcomes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
41sec home-news-image

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.