A liver tumor is an area of uncontrolled cell growth in or on the liver. Like tumors in other parts of the body, liver tumors arise when something goes wrong during cell division, leading cells to replicate out of control instead of reproducing and dying in the normal way. Depending on the type of liver tumor involved, the tumor may be identified on a diagnostic test or it may remain unknown until someone dies of other causes and the tumor is discovered at autopsy.
There are two types of liver tumors: benign and malignant. In the case of a benign tumor, the growth should not cause health problems such as occluded veins or the spread of secondary tumors. Benign liver tumors often go undiagnosed and are sometimes discovered by accident during tests or investigation of something else. Malignant tumors, also known as cancerous tumors, pose a threat to health and can severely damage the liver as well as spread throughout the body.
Some liver tumors are primary, meaning they arise in the liver itself. One of the most common forms of primary liver tumor is hepatocellular carcinoma. Others are secondary tumors that occur when tumors in other parts of the body metastasize. Tumors in neighboring organs can make a quick jump to the liver, and secondary tumors can also come from more remote parts of the body. In contrast, primary liver tumors can spread to other parts of the body.
Medical imaging can usually reveal a liver tumor, although a biopsy will be needed to find out more about it. Sometimes liver tumors grow large enough to be felt as a mass during routine palpation of the abdomen. In either case, the treatment approach for the tumor varies, depending on whether or not it is malignant. Malignant tumors usually need to be removed and the body treated with drugs designed to prevent regrowth, while benign tumors can be left in situ.
Symptoms of liver tumors can vary. Some people do not experience any symptoms, especially in the case of benign tumors. In other cases, people may feel fatigued or may develop jaundice as the tumor interferes with liver function. Jaundice is very recognizable, thanks to the yellow tint that appears in the eyes and skin of jaundice patients. The tumor can also cause abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, or digestive problems.