Benign liver cell adenoma associated with use of oral contraceptive agents

Abstract

A benign hepatic adenoma in a young woman taking oral contraceptives for 7 years is reported. The diagnosis must be suspected in any young woman taking oral contraceptive agents who develop signs and symptoms of acute cholecystitis with hepatomegaly or mass, or when signs and symptoms of non-traumatic intraabdominal hemorrhage are present. Rupture of the tumor is a life-threatening complication. Treatment should be either hepatic lobectomy or wide local resection.

PIP: Case reports of benign hepatoma in young women taking oral contraceptives (OCs) are known to exist. A benign hepatic adenoma was discovered in a young woman who had been taking an OC (Ortho-Novum 2) for 7 years. Although hepatic adenoma is a rare tumor, the increasing number of reports of its occurrence strongly suggest an association between OCs and benign hepatic adenoma. Diagnosis must be suspected in any young woman taking OCs and developing signs of acute cholecystitis with hepatomegaly or mass, or presenting with signs and symptoms of nontraumatic intraabdominal hemorrage. Rupture of the tumor is life-threatening. Treatment should be removal of the tumor whenever possible.