Benign liver tumours

There are several types of benign liver tumour. They are not cancer and most of them cause no problems.

Some rare types can increase your risk of liver cancer and will need to be monitored. You can find out more about the different types of benign liver tumour using the links below.

You can find out more about liver cancer here.

You can find out about liver cysts here.

The information on this page is for:

Adults and children with benign liver tumours or suspected benign liver tumours.
Family, friends, carers, and healthcare professionals.

Find out more

Liver haemangioma

Liver haemangiomas are very common.
They are like a strawberry birthmark
They usually cause no problems.
You only need treatment if the haemangioma causes symptoms.

Focal nodule hyperplasia

A common type of benign tumour.
Very rarely causes any problems.
More common in women and in people with some other medical conditions.
The safest option is usually to just leave it alone.

Hepatocellular adenoma

Very rare.
More common in women.
Usually harmless.
Can sometimes cause severe bleeding.
In rare cases it can change to become cancer.
Men and women tend to have different types.
The treatment for men is usually surgery.
The treatment for women depends on the size of the tumour.

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A diagnosis of liver disease can be worrying, and you may have a lot of questions.

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This content was last reviewed: August 2023

Our expert reviewers:

We would like to thank everyone who helped with creating and reviewing this page. Including Dr Abid Suddle, King’s College hospital NHS foundation trust, Indra Van Mourik, Retired Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist. And all our patient reviewers.

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Everyone’s experience of liver disease will be different. Always talk to your specialist medical team for personal advice.