Liver cyst is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. A cyst is an abnormal formation filled with fluid. This formation consists of fluid, not tissue. Liver cysts are divided into 2 different groups as parasitic and non-parasitic. The condition of the cyst and the patient is taken into account in the diagnosis, follow-up and appropriate treatment of this cyst. No treatment is usually required for simple cysts under observation, but surgical treatment is usually preferred for cystic tumors.
“What is a cyst in the liver?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions about this disease. These cyst are fluid-filled saccular formations in the liver. The diagnosis of these cysts, which usually do not show symptoms immediately, can be made by various imaging techniques. These cystic formations can be both benign and malignant. It is extremely important to diagnose malignant cysts at an early stage and to apply the necessary treatment method.
“What causes a cyst in the liver?” It is one of the most frequently asked questions. When research is done on the causes of cysts in the liver, it has been seen that congenital causes and pets also contribute to the development of this condition. Cysts entering the body first settle in the intestinal tract of the person. In this settlement, humans are intermediate hosts. Expanding at this point, the parasites easily cross the intestinal wall and reach the liver by using the lymph nodes and blood. It progresses further from this point and continues to formation of a cyst. These formations are very small when they first enter the body, so they do not show themselves too much. However, these cysts grow over time and cause various risks to the health of the person by creating pressure in the area where they are located.
Cysts in the liver do not cause symptoms such as pain in the first period. However, over time, the cyst grows and begins to cause some symptoms. However, these symptoms may differ from person to person. These symptoms are as follows:
- Severe diarrhea
- Frequent recurrent nausea
- Infection and obstruction in the gallbladder
- Digestive problems
- Feeling of bloating
- Severe and persistent abdominal pain
Echinococcosis: This type of liver cyst is transmitted from animals to humans and can cause death if left untreated. This type of cyst, popularly known as canine cyst, is caused by a parasite called echinococcus granulosus. Echinococcosis, which brings with it serious health problems, lives in the organs of carnivorous animals. The eggs of this parasite, which lives in the small intestines of carnivorous animals, are excreted with feces and spread in this way. Eggs that are excreted with feces have a very solid structure. It can live up to 1 year in soil and cold weather. In this way, the eggs spread rapidly to the environment, and also show rapid distribution through rain and wind. In addition, this type of parasite can be found in vegetables and fruits bought from the market. Therefore, vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly.
Cystadenoma and Cystadenocarcinoma: These cysts are in the benign group. These cysts are likened to simple cysts that occur after birth and originate from the cells of epithelium. While they are usually seen as benign tumors, they can also transform into malignant tumors.
Simple Cysts: Simple liver cysts may occur at birth or as a remnant of previous inflammations. These simple cysts contain a clear fluid and vary in size and density from person to person. The dangerous aspect of these cysts, which do not worsen over time, is that in some cases they cannot be distinguished from cysts with tumor characteristics and delay the diagnosis of cancerous cysts. In addition, simple cysts are usually asymptomatic but can cause significant upper abdominal pain.
Polycystic liver disease is one of the rare genetic diseases and refers to the presence of more than 20 cysts in the liver. Kidney cysts can also be seen in people with the disease. These cysts, on the other hand, are generally congenital and collective.
Cysts that occur due to various reasons do not show themselves immediately. However, it grows in size over time, causing pressure to occur. For this reason, cysts whose treatment is delayed may threaten the life of the person by bringing along different problems. Some imaging technologies are used to identify these cysts. These imaging methods are as follows:
- Computed tomography
- Magnetic imaging
- Ultrasonography
If an abnormal growth has occurred in the cysts, this can be observed in the physical examination. In addition, some cysts disappear on their own over time without requiring treatment. However, it is necessary to resort to various treatment methods for malignant cysts. These treatment methods are determined by the doctor according to the size of the cyst and the risk it possesses.
Liver cysts can cause serious health problems after they show a certain growth. These cysts, which can cause different diseases when not treated, can be removed with an appropriate treatment after the diagnosis is made. Treatment methods for cysts are as follows:
Surgery: One of the most used methods for the treatment of people diagnosed with liver cysts is surgery. Surgery is usually performed for malignant liver cysts and cystadenomas. Since these cysts carry risks, they must be removed immediately with the right method, and surgery is a quick method in this regard. This method is applied as open and closed according to the patient's condition. The closed method is called laparoscopic surgery and is one of the most preferred methods currently. During this operation, thin tubes and minimaly invasive approaches are used.
Medication Therapy: Medical and herbal medicine solutions are also used in the treatment of cysts. It is important to regularly use the drugs recommended by the doctor during the treatment process. Drug therapy is also effective on cysts caused by the echinococcosis parasite.
Liver cyst surgery may produce some undesirable effects. Issues such as the size of the cyst, the location and spread of the cyst, the general condition of the patient and the possibility of rupture of the vesicles can be taken into count among the risks that may arise with surgery. After the operation, various precautions should be taken to prevent air leaks and infections. For this reason, patients are kept under observation in the hospital for 3-4 days after the procedure.
After the procedure, people are taken to the wards or intensive care rooms depending on the condition of the patients. In this process, patients who do not have per os nutrition are allowed to receive food through the vein for 6 hours. At the end of this process, patients are asked to walk, cough or breathe. In addition, during the hospitalization period, patients are provided with drugs both orally and intravenously. Patients are informed in detail about these drugs.
There is a risk that liver cysts go undetected for many years, and if left untreated, they can cause some diseases to occur. Because these cysts contain many bacteria that reproduce. These bacteria can cause problems such as ruptures and perforations in the liver, as well as some other health problems. Experiencing such problems can make the fight against the disease more difficult. In addition to the situations that will occur if the liver cyst is not treated, "How many cm of liver cyst dangerous?" The answer to the question is also wondered. If the cyst is larger than 4 cm, it is important to make the necessary diagnosis.
In order to protect the liver, it is important to make the necessary parasite vaccinations for pets. When pets are fully vaccinated, the risk of contamination is completely eliminated. For this reason, getting the necessary vaccinations for pets is one of the most important precautions to be taken in order to protect them.
In addition, parasites that cause cysts can be found on fruits and vegetables. For this reason, vegetables and fruits should be washed very well before consumption. In addition to the ways of preventing the cyst, "Does the liver cyst cause back pain?" The answer to the question is also wondered frequently. The symptoms of this disease do not appear until the condition progresses, so it is important to ensure immediate control. Pain in the liver is often confused with back or right shoulder pain.
