Treatment for: Benign liver tumors (hemangioma) >5cm
Procedures offered: Transarterial embolization
A giant liver hemangioma is a benign tumor that is greater than 5 cm in diameter. As the hemangioma grows, it can cause symptoms such as pain in the abdomen, bloating or nausea. Left untreated, a liver hemangioma can cause problems such as compression of the blood vessels, internal hemorrhage or bleeding and degeneration inside the tumor (blood clotting, scarring or calcium deposits).
If treatment for giant liver hemangioma is required, the doctors at NSVI perform a minimally invasive procedure called transarterial embolization – an alternative to surgery. In fact, Dr. Golzarian was part of an international team that pioneered the procedure for treating hemangioma and now provides lectures to other physicians on the technique.
During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through the skin and advanced to the blood vessels that are feeding the benign tumor. The artery is then embolized (closed off) to prevent the tumor from receiving its blood supply. This causes it to shrink and the symptoms to gradually disappear.
