BENIGN LIVER-TUMORS IN WOMEN TAKING ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVES - DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY

From 1.1. 1976-1.10.1978 8 women taking oral contraceptives for many years were admitted with benign hepatic tumors. The histological diagnosis in all cases was focal nodular hyperplasia. In 6 women the tumor was single, in 2 women multicentric. Diagnosis by computer tomography, sonography, liver scanning and angiography. A specific diagnosis is only possible by laparoscopy with biopsy of the tumour and the normal liver tissue. Because of the danger of rupture and intra-abdominal hemorrhage and a rare trend to malignancy, enucleation or resection of these tumours was performed; two of the multicentric hepatomas localized at the hepatic veins remained in place. Mortality was 0 %. After cessation of oral contraceptives the remaining tumors did not change in size during one to two years. Enucleation or resection is recommended treatment of choice for benign hepatic tumors. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.