Liver Cyst - Recurring Any link to Lyme Disease

Posted by natalieo @natalieo, May 26, 2016

Five years ago I had a large liver cyst removed without complications. The cyst grew back and 2 years later I had it removed again. Last year I had my third liver cyst removed. This time they removed my gallbladder and part of the liver. I just found out that it has again grown back. I've been told that no one knows why liver cysts develop, but I can't continue to have surgery every year or two. There must be a reason that it is growing back. I'm also wondering if it can at all be connected to lyme disease. I was treated for lyme disease for about a year, and thought to have had lyme disease for about 2 years before being diagnosed. Anyone with similar occurrences?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 26, 2016

Welcome @natalieo.
This is a good question to ask your doctor. I assume your care team knows that you had and were treated for lyme disease. According to this Mayo Clinic article http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/expert-answers/liver-cysts/faq-20058440

"The cause of simple liver cysts isn't known, but they may be the result of a malformation present at birth. Rarely, liver cysts may indicate a serious, underlying condition such as polycystic liver disease, an inherited disorder; echinococcus infection, a parasitic infection; or liver cancer."

I'm tagging @mieke @paty1979 who have talked about Lyme disease on Connect. Have you experienced liver cysts? I'm also tagging @hopeful33250. @bonitav @irvkay312 who talk about pancreatic cysts here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatic-cyst/ They may have something to add to this conversation too.

Natalie, does your doctor recommend surgery to remove the newly formed cyst?

Kay | @irvkay312 | May 26, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @natalieo. This is a good question to ask your doctor. I assume your care team..." + (show)

Relative to cysts, Octreotide Scans have shown mine to be normal or
Tuberous Sclerosis caused (TS is a benign form of cancer as it
presently stands. Since mine were located on the kidney and other
area's 5-6 years ago---it was suggested to leave them alone unless
any major problem developed from their existance.

Sincerely,

Kay

natalieo | @natalieo | May 27, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @natalieo. This is a good question to ask your doctor. I assume your care team..." + (show)

Right now the cyst is 3cm by 4cm (with a couple small 1cm cysts present). No surgery right now. The last 3 cysts were over 10cm and causing pain. We will wait to see if they grow before deciding on surgery again.

peggysheppard | @peggysheppard | Oct 11, 2023

Hi Natalie, I know it's been a few years since you posted this but I had Lyme for 2 years before I was diagnosed and now have lots of cysts on my liver and 3 large painful ones. All I'm been told was they shouldn't cause any issues and I've had no bloods tests. I was wondering if you received any treatment. I hope you've received some kind of treatment. Thanks!