ABSTRACT
RonaldS. Chamberlain Introduction Benign liver tumors are common and account for 83% of all hepatic tumors
identified on diagnostic imaging or at the time of laparoscopy. Benign liver tumors may arise from either epithelial or mesenchymal cells. In rare instances, a variety of miscellaneous disorders may masquerade as liver tumors (Table 6.1). The frequency of different types of liver tumors is not well understood, but suffice it to say, far more than 50% of all hepatic lesions are either hemangiomas or benign cysts (Table 6.2). Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), metastatic tumors from an undiag nosed primary cancer site, hepatic adenomas, focal fatty infiltration, and hepatocel lular carcinomas are the next most common diagnoses in descending order of frequency. Additional benign tumors have also been described; however, most if not all, are sufficiently rare as to be labeled medical “fascinomas.”
