Liver endometriosis is a rare condition that occurs when endometrial tissues grow outside of the uterine area. While it can be difficult to diagnose, it is treatable.

Endometriosis is a common condition in females of reproductive age. It’s typically considered a gynecological condition as it often causes uterine lining-like tissues to grow outside of your uterus.

In some cases, however, endometriosis can happen in other areas of your body.

In rare cases, it can occur in the liver. Also called hepatic endometriosis, this form of endometriosis still needs further research to determine its frequency, causes, and treatment options.

Liver endometriosis is a condition in which atypical, uterine-like tissues grow outside of the uterus.

Most cases of endometriosis affect areas near your uterus. These include your ovaries and fallopian tubes. It’s also possible to develop “atypical” endometriosis in other areas around the gastrointestinal area or your bladder.

Liver endometriosis is considered rare. A 2019 case report and review estimated that there were a total of 29 clinically confirmed cases of endometriosis of the liver.

Despite its rare nature, endometriosis is not a newly-known condition. In fact, it was first described in 1986.

Still, the exact cause of liver endometriosis is not known. Like endometriosis more generally, though, researchers believe estrogen, as well as both inflammation and endometrial stem cells, may play a role in its development.

Another 2020 review also suggests that endometriosis may possibly spread through the lymphatic system. In such cases, it may be possible to have typical endometriosis that spreads to atypical sites such as the liver.

Liver endometriosis may cause the following symptoms:

  • pain in the upper-right abdominal area.
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • ascites (buildup of fluid in the abdominal area)
  • jaundice (yellowing of your skin and eyes)

It’s possible for symptoms to worsen during menstrual periods and other times when your hormones fluctuate.

Symptoms can also range in severity. In some cases, it’s possible for liver endometriosis to cause no symptoms at all.

Due to the rarity of liver endometriosis, this condition is often misdiagnosed as other conditions with similar symptoms, such as liver disease or cysts.

It’s also possible for liver endometriosis to go undetected if it’s asymptomatic unless it’s part of an accidental finding during a test for another condition.

Aside from an evaluation of your symptoms, diagnosing this type of endometriosis may include a combination of blood and imaging tests, such as:

Also, a doctor will perform a physical exam to look for possible signs of inflammation in the liver, such as tenderness in the upper-right abdominal area.

There’s no one plan used for treating hepatic endometriosis.

However, some of the same methods used for gynecological endometriosis may be helpful. These include reducing estrogen levels in the body and possibly surgery.

Mild symptoms may be treated with hormonal medications, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate.

If symptoms are severe or if you have a large mass in your upper abdominal area, a doctor may suggest a partial hepatectomy to surgically remove endometrial lesions. This is done via a procedure called a laparoscopy.

The surgeon may also send out a portion of the removed liver to a pathologist to confirm endometriosis.

In addition to medications and surgery, a doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle strategies that can help support healthy estrogen levels and decreased inflammation. These include:

  • quitting smoking, if you do smoke
  • getting regular physical activity
  • eating more foods with omega-3 fatty acids

Once surgically treated, the recurrence of liver endometriosis is unlikely.

Endometriosis in the liver is not cancerous, just as with other types of this condition.

If your symptoms are severe and are interfering with your quality of life, you may need hepatic endometriosis treatment.

Overall, this condition does not lead to any life threatening complications. Depending on the size of the lesions in your liver and whether your symptoms are severe, a doctor will recommend the right course of action.

While endometriosis itself is a common condition in the pelvic region, endometriosis in the liver is considered rare. The exact cause is unknown, and not all cases are symptomatic.

If you do have symptoms of liver endometriosis, possibilities include mild to severe upper abdominal pain, along with nausea and vomiting. A doctor may suggest a partial hepatectomy or hormonal treatments for this condition.

Despite its rare occurrence, it’s possible to develop endometriosis in the liver. If you’re experiencing any possible symptoms, consider speaking with a doctor about next steps.