Liver Cyst Size Chart: Understanding the Dimensions and Implications

Liver cysts are fluid-filled sacs formed and found in the liver. And, understanding the liver cyst size chart can lead to learning its implications. Most of these cysts are benign (non-cancerous) and cause no symptoms at all. Often these cysts are discovered incidentally (by accident). It can be seen when you undergo imaging tests for other medical concerns.

Key Takeaways

• About 90-95% of liver cysts don’t cause any symptoms and require no treatment

• Cysts are classified according to size: small (<3 cm), medium (3-5 cm), and large (>5 cm)

• Only large cysts typically cause symptoms like bloating or pain

• The risk of a small liver cyst becoming cancerous is extremely low

• Treatment depends on size and symptoms, which ranges from monitoring to surgery

• Regular imaging can track changes in the size of cyst for those requiring periodic follow-up

What is a Liver Cyst?

Liver cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in the liver. Most of them are benign and don’t cause symptoms. These fluid-filled pockets form in the liver tissue. For many people, these cysts come as a surprise. Because the finding only appears during imaging tests that are done for entirely different reasons.

About 5-10% of people have liver cysts without knowing it. And, as many as 15-18% of people in the United States alone have these. These cysts typically don’t require treatment unless they are large and produce symptoms.

What are the Different Types of Cysts?

Simple cysts are the most common type. They’re single fluid-filled sacs that form idiopathically (reasons are not fully understood). 

Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a genetic condition where many cysts form throughout the liver. As a genetic condition, it runs in families and sometimes needs treatment.

Hydatid cysts are rare forms in the United States. These cysts form when the patient is infected with a specific parasite called, Echinococcus

How are Liver Cysts Classified by Size?

The classification of liver cysts divide them into three main size categories. The size is significant in the classification because it provides direction on the intervention. It helps decide whether you need period monitoring only or you need treatment. Size serves as the roadmap for clinical decisions.

What is Considered a Small Liver Cyst?

Small liver cysts have a diameter of less than 3 cm. These cysts rarely cause symptoms. It can be an incidental finding when doctors request imaging studies of the abdomen for other medical reasons. People who have simple cysts don’t even know they have them and generally require no treatment.

What is Considered a Medium-Sized Liver Cyst?

Medium-sized liver cysts range in size from 3-5 cm in diameter. It may cause mild symptoms in some people, while others remain asymptomatic (no symptom). Doctors often recommend that these cysts are monitored through periodic imaging tests. This is to check if the size is stable or has progressed. Like small cysts, medium-sized cysts don’t require treatment unless they cause persistent symptoms.

When is a Cyst Considered Large?

Large (giant) liver cysts measure more than 5 cm in diameter. Some of these cysts can grow even larger. These are the cysts that may cause noticeable symptoms but remain non-specific. It can cause symptoms that are a result of mass effect. It pushes surrounding tissues and organs. Doctors recommend treatment for these large cysts, especially when symptoms start appearing.

What Symptoms Can Large Liver Cysts Cause?

Most liver cysts don’t cause problems. But the large ones often create uncomfortable symptoms.

The liver is located near many important organs. So, when a large cyst is pushing or pressing on these surrounding tissues, it causes discomfort.

What Are Common Symptoms of Large Liver Cysts?

The following are common symptoms of cysts that are 5 cm in diameter or more:

• Upper right abdominal pain or discomfort

• Feeling of fullness or bloating that is not relieved

• Feeling full quickly after eating (early satiety)

• Visible swelling or bulging on the right side

• Nausea

• Indigestion

These are just some of the common symptoms easily noticeable by people.

What Are Rare Complications from Liver Cysts?

In rare occasions, liver cysts produce complications, including:

• Rupture, causing sudden severe pain

• Infection, leading to increased pain severity and fever

• Obstruction of bile ducts, causing jaundice (yellowish discoloration of skin and whites of the eyes)

• Bleeding, causing it to expand quickly with increased pain

• Torsion (a condition in which cysts twist on themselves causing blood supply cut-off)

When any of these rare complications appear, you should contact your doctor immediately.

When Does the Size of a Liver Cyst Require Treatment?

The size of a large cyst plays an important role in knowing which treatment is appropriate. Most cysts don’t require treatment, but large ones may require medical intervention.

When Should a Liver Cyst Be Monitored vs Treated?

Small cysts as discussed, particularly those that are less than 3 cm, only need occasional monitoring using ultrasound.

Medium-sized cysts require more regular monitoring, ideally every 6-12 months.

Any cyst that produces symptoms, regardless of size, must be further investigated. Since these cysts may need treatment.

Cysts that grow rapidly need more frequent monitoring. Generally, treatment is advised, which your doctor will personalize a plan for you.

How Are Liver Cysts Diagnosed Based on Size?

To know where in the liver cyst size chart your cyst belongs, different modalities can be used. Imaging tests are often requested to measure the size and know the properties of the cyst.

Doctors do this to ensure that they are on the right track of providing the correct intervention.

What Are Imaging Techniques Used to Find Liver Cysts?

Different imaging techniques are used, each with their own advantages. Included in the list are as follows:

• Ultrasound

• Serves as the first-line imaging technique

• Safe radiation-free

• Can detect as small as 1-2 mm liver cysts

• The sound waves creates the images as it shows the fluid-filled areas clearly

• Measures precisely the size of the cyst

• Quick and painless

• Costs less

• Computed tomography (CT)

• Detailed cross-sectional images of the liver

• Particularly useful for large cysts

• Determines the exact location of the cysts and its effects to the surrounding tissues

• Used when ultrasound findings are unclear

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Offer the most detailed image

• Particularly useful for complex or cysts that are cause of concern

Advanced scans like CT or MRI are useful when doctors plan for surgical intervention. The tests help determine if a cyst is something more than just a simple cyst.

What Are the Treatment Options for Different Sized Liver Cyst?

The treatment choices depend on how large the cysts are and the symptoms. The treatment can go as benign as watchful waiting or monitoring to more aggressive surgery.

What Non Surgical Treatments Are Available?

The most common non surgical treatment is watchful waiting, even when it is a hydatid cyst. Watchful waiting with periodic monitoring is enough for most asymptomatic cysts.

Doctors may give pain medications to those with occasional discomfort from medium-sized, symptomatic cysts. Needle aspiration drains the fluid from the cyst. But it may get refilled with fluid in time. Sclerotherapy is often added during needle aspiration to prevent this refilling.

The non-surgical treatments may offer relief and it can avoid surgery. But it may not provide permanent solutions.

What Surgical Options are Available for Large Cysts?

A surgical option is laparoscopic unroofing. It removes the top part of the cyst wall through small incisions. It has been used as an emergency treatment for rare complications, such as rupture.

A complete cyst removal is called cystectomy. But it only works best on certain types of liver cyst. This can be done through laparoscopy as well.

In extreme cases, liver transplantation is considered for polycystic liver disease.

Conclusion

Living with liver cysts should include knowing where you belong in the liver cyst size chart. You should also know what to watch out for or when to seek medical attention. Most liver cysts are harmless for a lifetime. But knowing the size classification will help you know what to expect.

If you want a comprehensive urine test for your liver and general health, Ribbon Checkup has got you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size of liver cyst should I worry about?

There is no specific size that you should worry about because most simple liver cysts may remain asymptomatic throughout life. Some cysts that are more than 5 cm, however, can cause worry. These cysts usually have mass effect as it presses on surrounding tissues or organs.

Can small liver cysts ever become cancerous?

The risk of simple liver cysts ever becoming cancer is extremely low. Precancerous (conditions where cells have changed but not yet becoming full-blown cancer) cysts are only about 1-5% of liver cysts. On the other hand, 30% of all cysts become cancerous.

How fast do liver cysts grow?

Simple liver cysts develop and grow slowly. This is the reason why it is only found incidentally among the majority of its cases. These cysts don’t require treatment. They are only monitored periodically for any change in size or progression of the cysts.

 

Written by Jaclyn P. Leyson-Azuela, RMT, MD, MPH
Jaclyn P. Leyson-Azuela, RMT, MD, MPH, is a licensed General Practitioner and Public Health Expert. She currently serves as a physician in private practice, combining clinical care with her passion for preventive health and community wellness.

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