Benign Liver Lesions

Benign Liver Lesions

Benign liver lesions are frequently found incidentally on imaging and are usually harmless. Most do not cause symptoms and do not require treatment. Specialist assessment focuses on confirming the diagnosis and providing reassurance where appropriate.

Learn more about benign liver lesions and when follow-up is needed.

What are benign liver lesions?

Benign liver lesions are non-cancerous growths in the liver and are commonly found incidentally during scans performed for other reasons. Examples include liver cysts and haemangiomas, Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH) and Liver Adenomas.

Most benign lesions cause no symptoms and do not affect liver function.

How are they diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made through imaging such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan. In most cases, imaging alone is sufficient to confirm the nature of the lesion.

Do benign liver lesions need treatment?

The majority do not require treatment or long-term follow-up. Management focuses on confirming the diagnosis and excluding rare malignant conditions. Some liver lesions, such as hepatic adenomas, may require follow-up or treatment, as they carry a risk of changing to become a type of cancer.

Why specialist review is helpful?

Specialist assessment ensures accurate diagnosis, avoids unnecessary investigations, and provides reassurance where appropriate.