Associate Professor from Memorial Kayseri Hospital Gastroenterology Department. Dr. Mustafa Kaplan gave information about liver enlargement and its symptoms. Enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size is called liver enlargement. Enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly), one of the largest internal organs in the human body, often develops due to another problem or disease. The enlargement of the liver is not noticed by the patients for a while. For the treatment of the problem, which occurs with symptoms such as bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, pain in the upper right region of the abdomen, the underlying cause must be determined.
The liver is one of the main organs
Stating that the liver is one of the basic organs for the continuation of human life, Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Kaplan said, “The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body. It weighs 1-1,5 kilograms on average and constitutes 1,5-2,5% of the body weight. The liver, which performs many important functions, including cleaning toxins from the blood and regulating blood cholesterol, acts as a filter in the body. Toxic overload in the body can make the liver vulnerable. Too many toxins or fats in the blood can cause liver inflammation, or hepatitis. Normally, the liver size is around 15-16 cm. In the case of liver enlargement, the liver can grow up to 21-22 cm and it causes discomfort in the right upper abdomen. said.
Liver enlargement symptom
Expressing that liver enlargement is often a symptom of an underlying disease, Kaplan said, “Liver enlargement can occur with inflammation (hepatitis), fatty tissue or cancer. Liver enlargement may also be seen as a response to acute infection or due to advanced chronic liver disease. Hepatomegaly can be seen in some diseases related to the heart, especially in the case of heart failure and in some blood diseases. Again, in case of occlusion of some intra-abdominal vessels, liver enlargement may occur. he said.
“Growth can cause damage,” Kaplan said.
“An enlarged liver can be a sign of a dangerous condition. Sometimes the liver may swell in response to a short-term (acute) situation and return to its normal size after a while. However, the process that starts due to another reason can cause a slow but progressive damage to the liver. Early diagnosis of liver problems is of vital importance. If it is delayed, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer may develop and liver transplantation may be required for treatment.
“In general, patients who face this problem do not realize that their livers are growing for a while. After a while, a feeling of bloating or fullness in the abdomen is noticed as a result of pain in the upper right region of the abdomen. Specialist physicians notice liver enlargement during physical examination.
Kaplan listed the symptoms as follows:
- feeling tired
- nausea or loss of appetite
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Dark urine and light colored stools
- itchy skin
“If there is growth, it can cause these diseases,” Kaplan said:
- The liver may become enlarged as a response to hepatitis, infection, or drug damage.
- If there is excessive fat storage in the liver (hepatosteatosis, liver fat) there will be growth.
- If the vessels passing through the liver are blocked, the liver enlarges.
- If you have alcohol-related hepatitis and associated cirrhosis, the liver may become enlarged.
- Toxic hepatitis, usually due to drug overdose,
- Viral hepatitis due to hepatitis A, B, or C infection.
- Fatty liver disease due to alcohol or metabolic syndrome.
- Mononucleosis, a common viral infection.
The liver enlarges due to genetic diseases such as hemochromatosis, which causes iron accumulation in the liver, and Wilson's disease, which causes copper accumulation.
A rare disease that causes fat accumulation in the liver: Gaucher's disease.
- Since the liver is a frequent destination for veins from other organs, cancers of organs such as stomach, pancreas and large intestine can spread to the liver and enlarge the liver.
- Liver cysts are usually benign, but sometimes animals such as cats and dogs can cause this problem.
- Benign liver tumors (hemangioma or adenoma).
- Liver cancers.
- Systemic cancers, that is, the spread of cancers of other organs to the liver.
- Blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma enlarge the liver and spleen.
- Biliary tract diseases and strictures.
- Heart failure.
- Budd-Chiari syndrome, i.e. blockage of the veins exiting the liver.
Talking about the importance of blood tests and imaging, Assoc. Dr. Mustafa Kaplan, “Blood tests and imaging tests should be done to determine which problem or disease the liver enlargement is due to. If there is an advanced disease, the sample to be taken from the liver tissue is tested in the laboratory. Treatment options will be determined according to the results of the tests and biopsy. When the liver has enough healthy tissue, the process of repairing and renewing itself will begin. If liver enlargement is the result of an acute condition, a treatment plan for the problem will ensure its recovery. If the growth is the result of chronic liver disease, it is potentially reversible and, in some cases, successful in treatment with lifestyle changes. For example, if there is an enlarged liver due to a problem related to excessive alcohol use, quitting alcohol is the first step to be taken for treatment. Losing 10% of the total weight will be beneficial if there is a problem with obesity that is not related to alcohol. It is also important to control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and high blood sugar to prevent fatty liver and growth.” used the phrase.