Liver Tumors
Most Common Benign: Cavernous Hemangioma ⭐ - Most common benign liver tumor - Usually incidental finding - Do NOT biopsy (risk of massive hemorrhage) ⭐
What our notes say
- Most Common Benign: Cavernous Hemangioma ⭐ - Most common benign liver tumor - Usually incidental finding - Do NOT biopsy (risk of massive hemorrhage) ⭐ (Liver Histology & Physiology)
- This document provides a concise overview of both benign and malignant liver tumors. (Liver Tumors: Benign and Malignant Overview)
- Cavernous Hemangioma: Most common benign liver tumor; DO NOT biopsy due to hemorrhage risk. (Liver Tumors: Benign and Malignant Overview)
Study material on Liver Tumors
- Liver Tumors: Benign and Malignant Overview
- Liver Tumors: Benign, Primary, and Secondary Malignancies Summary
- Liver Tumors: Benign and Malignant Overview
- Liver Tumors: Benign and Malignant Overview
- Liver Tumors: Benign, Primary, and Secondary Malignancies Summary — Practice Questions
- MCQ: Ompath Study Home Blog Flashcards MCQs Dashboard Toggle the
- Weekly Pathology Exam - March 7, 2026 (Section A: MCQs)
Practice questions on Liver Tumors
A 45-year-old woman undergoes imaging for unrelated abdominal pain, revealing a 3 cm incidental liver lesion. Given its suspected diagnosis as the most common benign liver tumor, which of the following diagnostic procedures should be avoided?
- Contrast-enhanced MRI
- Percutaneous needle biopsy
- Technetium-99m labeled red cell scintigraphy
- Triphasic CT scan
Answer: B. The most common benign liver tumor is a cavernous hemangioma. Percutaneous biopsy is avoided due to the risk of significant hemorrhage from these vascular lesions. ---
A 28-year-old woman on oral contraceptive pills presents with sudden onset severe RUQ pain and hypovolemic shock. Imaging reveals a ruptured hepatic mass. Which benign liver tumor is most likely?
- Hepatocellular Adenoma
- Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
- Cavernous Hemangioma
- Biliary Cystadenoma
Answer: A. Hepatocellular adenomas are strongly associated with oral contraceptive use and carry a significant risk of spontaneous rupture and life-threatening intraperitoneal hemorrhage. ---
A 58-year-old female presents with multiple bilateral liver lesions. She has no history of chronic liver disease. What is the most common diagnosis for malignant liver tumors in adults?
- Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Metastatic Carcinoma
- Primary Cholangiocarcinoma
- Angiosarcoma
Answer: B. Metastatic disease (especially from colon, lung, or breast) is far more common than primary liver cancer in non-cirrhotic livers. ---
A 45-year-old woman undergoes imaging for unrelated abdominal pain, revealing a 3 cm incidental liver lesion. Given its suspected diagnosis as the most common benign liver tumor, which of the following diagnostic procedures should be avoided?
- MRI with contrast
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- Liver biopsy
Answer: D. Cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign liver tumor. Biopsy is contraindicated due to the significant risk of hemorrhage associated with its vascular nature. ---
A 28-year-old woman on oral contraceptive pills presents to the emergency department with sudden onset severe right upper quadrant pain and hypovolemic shock. Imaging reveals a ruptured hepatic mass with significant intraabdominal hemorrhage. Which benign liver tumor is most likely responsible for her presentation?
- Cavernous Hemangioma
- Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
- Liver Cell Adenoma
- Hepatic Lipoma
Answer: C. Liver cell adenoma is strongly associated with oral contraceptive use in young women and carries a significant risk of rupture leading to intraabdominal hemorrhage. ---
A 58-year-old female presents with multiple bilateral liver lesions identified on CT scan. She has no known history of chronic liver disease or primary liver tumors. What is the most common diagnosis for malignant liver tumors in adults?
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Metastatic Carcinoma
- Liver Cell Adenoma
Answer: C. Metastatic carcinoma (secondary liver cancer) is the most common hepatic malignancy overall, far outnumbering primary liver tumors. ---