Hi everyone. I’m 37 years old and have chronic Hepatitis B. I am currently very scared about my ultrasound results from today, so any advice or shared experiences from people who have been through this would mean the world to me.
Here is my situation:
Last month, my AFP tumor marker was perfectly normal (<1.8).
Last year at my regular checkup, both my FibroScan and ultrasound were completely clear and normal.
Today I went for my annual checkup. The FibroScan is perfect, even better than last year – my liver stiffness is 4.0 kPa (clear F0).
However, on today’s ultrasound, they found two small lesions in the right hepatic lobe (one is 8mm, the other is 4mm).
In the report, the radiologist wrote that the lesions have circumscribed borders, no internal color Doppler flow, and that they “favor benign etiology.” They also noted that they are located very high up near the diaphragm in a challenging area to visualize, so they stated they are “uncertain whether these were previously present.” I was given a LI-RADS US-2 category and a recommendation for a short-term follow-up ultrasound in 3 to 6 months.
Even though the radiologist leans towards them being benign, I am completely panicking because my report from last year said there was nothing there.
Has anyone had a similar experience? How is it possible for the FibroScan and AFP to be so good, but suddenly lesions appear on the ultrasound? Did you wait the 3-6 months for the follow-up, or did you push for an MRI right away just to have peace of mind?
I had a very similar circumstance happen a few years ago. All my labs were normal, including a fibroscan, but they found a 2 cm spot in the right lobe of my liver on my annual ultrasound. Needless to say the 2 weeks until my followup MRI was the longest two weeks of my life! I think I had my first panic attack during that time; I work in a cancer research lab, so reading charts on patients with liver cancer was not helping. Fortunately for me, my MRI said it was just an “artifact” and no lesion was seen to correlate with the findings on the ultrasound. I had never even understood that an “artifact” could occur so although it was welcome news, it was extremely frustrating to know that this could occur again in the future, bringing back all the fear and anxiety. Hopefully, your results will turn out to be benign as well. Sending you hugs and support!
Thank you so much for replying to my post, it means the world to me. I’m glad that your lesion was nothing of concern. This gives me a little peace of mind, but I’ll still be worried until I hear back from my doctor.
I had this occur to me in my 40’s, and I was monitoring since my late 20’s. I’m now almost 53 and sometimes on ultrasound or MRI I’ll have 2 lesions, sometimes 3 - all benign and like you other tests were good. I’m told the variations can be many things, which is why we with HBV monitor every 6 months. I don’t worry any longer since I have the history I’m used to, but completely understand where you are.
Chances are very, very good you are just fine and most times this would be considered an “incidental” finding for others. It also was probably there all along, but now just someone reporting it (what I was told occurs often). I hope this helps and hugs to you!
I also have chronic hep b and i get my blood work and ultrasound every six months. If they suspect lesions what would be the next step? Years ago during an ultrasound they found a lesion on my gallbaldder. I ended up having it removed and luckily turned out to be benign.
About seven years ago, I had an ultrasound that showed a couple of lesions on my liver. My AFP and other lab results were all normal, but I was still very concerned when the lesions were first discovered. An MRI classified the lesions as LI-RAD 3, so my doctors monitored them closely. I had CT scans quarterly for a couple of years, and eventually the lesions were classified as benign.
I know it’s completely natural to worry when you hear something like this, especially when you don’t yet know exactly what it means. I just wanted to share my experience and reassure you that a finding like this doesn’t automatically mean something serious. Try not to let the uncertainty consume you while you’re waiting for answers. Follow your doctors’ recommendations and take things one step at a time. I hope you get some reassuring news soon.
@dotbammer The radiologist’s report mentioned a follow-up visit in 3 to 6 months, but I’m still waiting to hear from my hepatologist about what the next steps are.
@BBritt Thank you for sharing your experience. That gives me a little peace of mind.
Right - so i also have fatty liver. While the fibroscan helps my doctor requested a biopsy to confirm how bad it was. I suspect for lesions they may request something similar. Again dont go by what im saying im not a medical professional
So sorry to hear about your stressful experience. We have had people going through similar experiences detailed in other threads (e.g., Discovery of a liver nodule).
As I mention there, benign lesions are much more common than anything cancerous. They are also there relatively commonly in otherwise healthy individuals - it’s just that we as people with hepatitis B get tested more often so find out more things about ourselves…
Had single spot from Ultrasound since 2017 and all bloodwork’s were fine. But the usual protocol is wait and see as long as AFP/DCP are in range. AFP went up to 12 eventually with 2cm and confirmed HCC in 2024. Removed and all good since.
Thanks for sharing your experience @hb1231. Scary to have been diagnosed with HCC, but great that you found it early while it was still treatable with surgery. Sounds like a textbook case of why the guidelines recommend regular screening with ultrasound and AFP!
