Peer Reviewed
Gastroenterology clinic

Assessment of liver lesions

Edmund Tse, Simone Strasser
Abstract
Some liver lesions are not cancerous and it is therefore important to determine the most likely cause of a liver lesion so patients can be managed appropriately. Imaging is often sufficient for diagnosis of the lesion type.
Key Points
    Remember
    • With increasing use of abdominal imaging to assess symptoms or as part of routine health checks, liver lesions are found commonly and may be a source of significant concern for both patient and doctor.
    • There are many causes of liver lesions, ranging from benign, vascular or infective lesions to primary or secondary malignancy.
    • The identification of a solid lesion in a patient with underlying chronic liver disease should always raise concern for primary liver cancer.
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