Benign hepatic tumors.

The primary importance of diagnosing benign hepatic tumors lies in differentiating them from malignant neoplasms. Certain liver tumors, such as hepatic adenoma, have become much more frequent with widespread use of oral contraceptives. Recent advances in roentgenographic techniques have also increased the frequency of diagnosis. Since liver enzyme studies are usually normal and the tumors are often clinically silent unless they are quite large, many benign tumors of the liver are only incidental findings at laparotomy or autopsy.