A benign liver tumor comprised of dilated blood vessels is called a hepatic hemangioma. It is thought to be a birth defect and is one of the most common forms of noncancerous liver tumors. It typically is seen in those between the ages of 30 and 50, more often in women.
Symptoms
Most of these types of tumors do not cause any symptoms. However, some may rupture and others may interfere with organ function or cause bleeding. It depends on where they are located. Infants that have these types of tumors can have anemia, a growth in the abdomen, or signs of heart failure.
Hepatic Hemangioma Diagnosis
These types of tumors are usually not found unless there is imaging of the liver done for another condition. Cavernous hemangioma ruptures can cause an enlarged liver that will show up on imaging. Some of the tests that your doctor may order include, MRIs, CT liver scans, a hepatic angiogram, blood tests, an ultrasound of the abdomen, or a SPECT – single-photon emission computed tomography test.
Treatment
Cavernous hepatic hemangiomas are usually left alone unless they are causing persistent pain. Depending on the growth and the development of the child in infantile hemangioendothelioma, treatment options may be surgical removal of the tumor, heart failure medications, ligation of a liver artery (or tying off), or embolization (inserting a material directly into a liver blood vessel to block it. Your doctor will know which of these treatment gives the best prognosis for the patient involved.
Source: A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia