Resection, transplantation and local regional therapies for liver adenomas

Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is a rare benign liver-cell neoplasm, occurring predominantly in young obese women using oral contraceptives. HCA is a heterogeneous disease, which includes four subtypes (including unclassified) associated with various risks of haemorrhagic complications and malignant transformation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for both diagnosis and subtype characterization of HCA whereas percutaneous biopsy has only limited impact on the therapeutic strategy. In men HCA should be always resected while in women surgery should only be considered for lesions ≥5 cm and after cessation of hormonal therapy. Women with single or multiple HCAs <5 cm may be followed with regular MRI imaging since the vast majority of HCA remains stable or decreases in size. Pregnancy should not be discouraged provided close sonographic surveillance is undertaken.