Liver resection for benign liver tumors: indications and outcome

BACKGROUND: The indications for intervention in cases of benign liver tumors include symptoms, suspicion of malignancy, or risk of malignant change. METHODS: Eighty-four liver resections for benign tumors were performed in our hospital from June 1996 to December 2004. The patient records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The study group (41 females, 43 males; average age, 41.4 +/- 10.5 y) included 46 cavernous hemangiomas, 27 focal nodular hyperplasias, 5 hepatic adenomas, and 6 liver cysts. The indications for resection were inability to rule out malignancy (50 [59.5%]), symptoms (33 [39.3%]), and others (1 [1.2%]). Postoperatively, 28 of the 33 patients had resolution of symptoms. Twenty-nine patients (34.5%) had chronic hepatitis B infection. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection for benign liver tumor is safe, but indications for intervention must be evaluated carefully. The presence of chronic parenchymal liver disease does not increase morbidity in these patients.