The liver is a large organ that sits in the upper right part of the abdomen, under the ribcage. The liver has many important functions including:

• breaking down and removing waste
• helping the blood to clot
• storing sugar
• making bile

Liver focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) are benign (not cancer) lumps of liver cells with a scar in the centre. They are typically single but sometimes more than one FNH can be present in the liver. FNH are more common in women.

In most patients, FNH do not cause any symptoms and are not harmful. Most do not grow and some even reduce in size over time. Very rarely, if a FNH is very large, it may cause pressure on the stomach or other organs causing discomfort, a feeling of fullness or a lump in the abdomen.

FNH of the liver are usually picked up on a scan such as an ultrasound or CT of the abdomen performed for other reasons. An MRI with injection of a contrast into the bloodstream (Primovist) is the best test to diagnose an FNH.

For most patients no treatment is required. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed no further follow up is required. Sometimes the diagnosis is not 100% certain and your liver specialist will recommend a follow up scan. Very occasionally a FNH requires surgical removal if it is causing problems or if the diagnosis is not certain.