[Benign liver tumors : Diagnostics and treatment]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Benign liver tumors are frequently discovered during routine imaging like ultrasounds.
• A small subset of benign liver tumors possess the potential for malignant transformation.
• Distinguishing benign from malignant liver tumors is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the diagnostic and management strategies for incidentally detected liver tumors.
• To emphasize the importance of differentiating benign from malignant liver lesions.
• To provide guidance on surgical intervention when malignancy is suspected.

Main Methods:

• Review of diagnostic imaging modalities (ultrasound, CT, MRI) for liver tumor characterization.
• Discussion of the role of percutaneous liver biopsy in cases of diagnostic uncertainty.
• Evaluation of criteria for surgical resection of liver tumors.

Main Results:

• Imaging procedures are the primary method for differentiating benign from malignant liver tumors.
• Percutaneous liver biopsy offers clarification in ambiguous diagnostic scenarios.
• Partial liver resection is indicated when malignancy is confirmed or cannot be definitively excluded.

Conclusions:

• Incidental liver tumors require careful evaluation to rule out malignancy.
• A combination of imaging and, if necessary, biopsy guides treatment decisions.
• Surgical resection remains the definitive treatment for liver tumors with suspected or uncertain malignancy.