Liver tumours associated with the use of contraceptive pills.

The possible association between benign liver tumours and the use of oral contraceptives is reviewed. The possible aetiological role of the pill, the confusion regarding the pathology of these lesions, and the presentation and diagnosis of the 4 clinical categories are discussed. These categories are: an incidental, asymptomatic lesion; a mass in the abdomen; upper abdominal pain; and shock due to rupture, with intraperitoneal haemorrhage. The importance of an awareness of the condition and the use of liver scanning, ultrasound and hepatic angiography in making a diagnosis, are emphasized. Biopsy is essential to establish the diagnosis and to differentiate benign from malignant tumours. A policy of treatment for the patients with different clinical presentations is detailed.