[Treatment of benign tumors of the liver]

The treatment of benign liver tumors is dependent on the type of lesion, its symptoms and its natural history. Hemangiomas require no therapy in most cases. Surgical resection is indicated in symptomatic and/or complicated cases. Simple biliary cysts usually require no therapy. Rare cases of simple cysts with symptoms and/or complications are treated by percutaneous alcoholization or surgical fenestration. Polycystic liver disease requires specific therapy when the volume of the cysts becomes life threatening. Treatment may include percutaneous alcoholization, surgical fenestration and even liver transplantation in selected cases. Hepatic cystadenomas must be resected because of the risk of malignant transformation. Benign hepatocellular tumors include hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia. Hepatocellular adenoma must be treated by withdrawal of oral contraceptives and tumour resection because of the risks of hemorrhage and malignant transformation. Focal nodular hyperplasia can be left in place when diagnosis is certain, because it always follows an uncomplicated course. Diagnosis may be confirmed by a surgical biopsy taken at exploratory laparotomy. In cases with doubts or with symptoms, surgical resection is indicated.