BACKGROUND: Benign hepatic tumors occur in 9% of the population. The majority is diagnosed in asymptomatic patients during routine imaging exams. AIM: To present the main aspects of indications and treatment of benign hepatic tumors. METHODS: A review was conducted based on literature search in PubMed, Scielo and Bireme crossing the headings liver cancer, hemangioma, adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia. Was selected studies of surgical techniques and added the experience of the authors. Hemangioma is the most common hepatic tumor. It is identified in 5% to 7% of the autopsies. It is more common between the 3rd and 5th decades of the life and in female. This tumor may increase in size during pregnancy and with administration of sexual hormones. Although the etiology is not known, it is related with sexual hormones. Complications include inflammation, coagulopathy, bleeding and compression of neighboring organs. Spontaneous rupture is exceptional, with only 35 cases described in the literature. Adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia are more common in young women, aged 20 to 40 years. Adenomas are treated by hepatic resection due to the risk of malignant transformation and bleeding. Focal nodular hyperplasia does not require treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The most common benign hepatic tumors are hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and adenoma. The differentiation between benign and malign tumors is usually based on clinical data and imaging exams. Hemangioma and focal nodular hyperplasia usually do not need treatment, while adenoma requires hepatic resection due to the risk of malignant transformation and bleeding.
Hepatic neoplasia; Hemangioma; Adenoma
