Re: Re: Re: Re: Liver cysts

Friday, Dec 24, 2004

Re: Re: Re: Re: Liver cysts
Posted by Millie on 11/07/03 at 05:07 PM

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I was also diagnosed with a liver cyst. I had to have surgery to have my \”common, simple liver Cyst\”” (as four different doctors called it) surgically removed. I had surgery on August 21 at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. This hospital is highly known for their liver transplant unit. Around October 2001 I started feeling very tired, out of breath, chest pains and a lot of pain on my right upper quadrant. I also noticed a big bulge on the the right upper part of my stomach. I went to see my regular doctor who thought I had a hernia and sent me to see a surgeon. The surgeon sent me for a CT Scan and they found a large liver cyst (19cm.)covering the entire left lobe of my liver. On April 24 I entered a local hospital and they drained the cyst by inserting a catherer in the cyst, injecting it with alcohol and contrast and draining the fluid out of the cyst. This is done for five consecutive days. The size of the cyst was reduced substantially and I felt relief from all my pain and discomfort. However, I was told by the doctors that performed the procedure that they could not guarrantee the cyst would not grow in size again. Well, it did!!! Less than three months after the drainage the cyst had doubled in size and the pain and discomfort returned. I then decided I had to see a Liver Specialist. I was recommended to a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who after looking at my CT Scan films, reports and medical records was schocked by the size of the cyst. He referred me to Dr. Myron Schwartz who is the head of the liver transplant unit at Mount Sinai Medical Center in N.Y.C. Dr. Schwarts is one of the top liver surgeons in the nation. Dr. Schwartz and his medical team agreed with the gastroenterologitst that the cyst had to be removed as soon as possible. The cyst was so large and he thought there was a great risk it may rupture. They removed most of the cyst and also had to remove approximately 20% of my liver. The cyst was also resting on my bile duct and they had to cut and repair the bile duct. According to Dr. Schwartz the operation was more difficult that they had anticipated. They found many small cysts behind the large one. They also told me that the cyst had all the characteristics of becoming cancerous had it been left untreated. So much for the diagnosis that simple liver cysts are very common and there are no symptoms or treatment for them. Thank God the surgery was a success. I stayed in the hospital for six days after the surgery and was given an eight weeks recovery period. I am now free of pain and feeling healthy. For the first time in close to a year that I can say that. I just need to follow up twice a year with the surgeon. They will take CT Scans just to make sure everything is fine. The cyst will not grow back once is surgically removed. If you are told you have a liver cyst, go see a liver specialist immediately, there is something they can do about. Only you can take charge of your health. Good luck and let me know how you are doing.