Hepatic Hemangioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Hepatic Hemangioma?
A gastroenterologist or hepatologist (a doctor who treats liver disease) usually looks after a hepatic hemangioma. A liver surgeon may join your care if treatment is needed. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a hepatic hemangioma?
A hepatic hemangioma is a liver mass made of widened blood vessels. It is not cancer. It is the most common type of liver mass that is not caused by cancer.
Babies can get a rare type called infantile hemangioendothelioma. It is also not cancer, but it has been linked to heart failure in infants.
Symptoms
Most hepatic hemangiomas cause no symptoms. They are often found by chance during imaging tests done for another reason. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Pain in the upper right belly, which is the most common complaint.
- Feeling full early, a poor appetite, or bloating.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) if a large one presses on the bile ducts.
Very large hemangiomas can cause symptoms or complications. In rare cases, a hemangioma can rupture (burst).
Causes and who gets it
The cause is not known. A hepatic hemangioma may be a birth defect.
It can occur at any time, but it is most common in people in their 30s to 50s. Women get these masses more often than men.
Pregnancy and estrogen-based medicines can cause these tumors to grow.
How doctors diagnose it
In most cases the mass is not found until liver images are taken for some other reason. Ultrasound is usually the first step. Doctors may also use a CT scan or an MRI scan of the liver. Blood tests may be done too.
Some doctors also use a hepatic angiogram, which is a test that images the liver's blood vessels, or a SPECT scan, which is a special imaging scan.
Treatment
Most hepatic hemangiomas are treated only if there is ongoing pain. Small ones that cause no symptoms need only regular follow-up with imaging tests.
Doctors watch closely if you take estrogen therapy or become pregnant. No medicine is known to shrink a hepatic hemangioma.
Surgery may be advised if the mass grows quickly or causes pain that pain medicine does not control. Surgery can remove part of the liver or only the hemangioma. Other options for hemangiomas that cause symptoms include arterial embolization, which blocks a blood vessel of the liver, and radiofrequency ablation.
For infants with infantile hemangioendothelioma, treatment depends on the child's growth and development. It may include embolization, tying off a liver artery, medicines for heart failure, or surgery to remove the tumor.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have ongoing pain in the upper right belly. A mass that causes pain may need treatment.
A hemangioma can rupture in rare cases. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain or pressure, bleeding that will not stop, or fainting.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can review your scan results, explain what they mean, and arrange the follow-up imaging. They can also refer you to a liver specialist or surgeon if the mass needs treatment.
Common questions
Is a hepatic hemangioma cancer?
No, a hepatic hemangioma is not cancer. It is a liver mass made of widened blood vessels. It is the most common type of liver mass that is not caused by cancer.
Does a hepatic hemangioma need treatment?
Usually not. Most of these tumors are treated only if there is ongoing pain. Small ones without symptoms are watched with regular follow-up imaging.
Can pregnancy or hormone medicines make a hepatic hemangioma grow?
Yes, they can. Pregnancy and estrogen-based medicines can cause these tumors to grow, so doctors watch closely in these cases.
Can a hepatic hemangioma burst?
Yes, but this is rare. A hemangioma can rupture in rare cases. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain or pressure, bleeding that will not stop, or fainting.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Hepatic hemangioma
- National Library of Medicine (PubMed Central) - Hepatic hemangioma -review-
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
