Is it important to find that the liver cyst has increased in size during re examination

Whether the enlargement of liver cysts during re examination is important should be judged comprehensively based on the size, growth rate, and symptoms of the cyst. In most cases, there is no need to worry excessively about the slow enlargement of simple liver cysts, but if they significantly enlarge in the short term or are accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain and jaundice, caution should be taken. When the volume of a liver cyst increases but its diameter does not exceed 50 millimeters and there are no clinical symptoms, it is usually considered a benign physiological change. Cysts may slowly expand due to increased secretion or decreased absorption of cyst fluid, which is more common in the elderly population. Patients can be monitored by ultrasound every 6-12 months. Avoiding intense abdominal exercise and trauma in daily life and maintaining a regular schedule can help slow down the progression. When the cyst enlarges without compressing the surrounding tissue, it does not affect liver function indicators, and blood tests for alkaline phosphatase and transaminase are usually within the normal range. When the diameter of a cyst exceeds 50 millimeters or grows by more than 10 millimeters within six months, there may be a risk of secondary infection, bleeding, or cancer. Compression of the bile duct by cysts can cause yellowing of the skin and sclera, and compression of the portal vein may lead to ascites. If imaging examination reveals thickening, septa, or calcifications in the cyst wall, further enhanced CT or tumor marker testing is required to rule out cystadenocarcinoma. This type of situation often requires ultrasound-guided puncture and aspiration or laparoscopic cystectomy for treatment, and a very small number of polycystic liver disease patients may need to consider liver transplantation.

It is recommended that patients with enlarged liver cysts undergo regular abdominal imaging examinations and avoid drinking alcohol and high-fat diets. If there is persistent upper right abdominal pain, postprandial fullness, or unexplained fever, it is necessary to promptly seek medical attention from the hepatobiliary surgery department to evaluate intervention indications.