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.