[Benign liver tumours - current diagnostics and therapeutic modalities]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Common benign liver tumors include hemangiomas, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatocellular adenoma.
• Increased detection of liver lesions is linked to widespread ultrasound use, often in women of childbearing age presenting with abdominal pain or incidentally.
• These lesions require advanced imaging for accurate differential diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for common benign liver tumors.
• To provide guidance based on the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Clinical Practice Guideline.
• To outline management strategies for symptomatic, hemorrhagic, or suspicious liver lesions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of diagnostic and therapeutic options for benign liver tumors.
• Analysis of imaging techniques including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Evaluation of treatment strategies from conservative management to surgical resection and alternative therapies.

Main Results:

• Contrast-enhanced US, CT, or MRI are crucial for differential diagnosis.
• Biopsy may be performed for atypical lesions or malignancy suspicion.
• Conservative therapy suffices for symptomatic patients; transarterial embolization is useful for hemorrhagic cases or pre-surgical tumor reduction.

Conclusions:

• Surgical treatment is advised for persistent symptoms, compression effects, or malignancy suspicion.
• Primary resection is recommended for men with hepatocellular adenoma due to malignant transformation risk.
• Alternative treatments like radiofrequency ablation, irradiation, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, and liver transplantation are documented.