A hepatocellular adenoma is a relatively uncommon noncancerous liver tumor that may be mistaken for cancer. Rarely, it ruptures and bleeds or becomes cancerous.
Hepatocellular adenomas occur mainly in women of childbearing age, particularly those who use oral contraceptives.
Usually, these tumors cause no symptoms, so most remain undetected. Large adenomas may cause pain in the upper right part of the abdomen. A larger hepatocellular adenoma may suddenly rupture and bleed into the abdominal cavity, requiring emergency surgery. Rarely, these tumors become cancerous.
An adenoma is usually suspected when an imaging test, such as an ultrasound test, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done and shows an abnormality. Sometimes a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Hepatocellular adenomas caused by oral contraceptive use may disappear when the woman stops taking it. If adenomas are large, located near the surface of the liver, or identified in a male, surgery may be recommended because bleeding is a risk.
(See also Overview of Liver Tumors.)
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