Natural history of focal nodular hyperplasia

To evaluate the natural course of focal nodular hyperplasia according to hormonal status.

Forty-four patients were included in this retrospective study. Tumor size was assessed with ultrasound examination. We studied the influence of hormone status on the course of the disease.

All patients were women, the median age at diagnosis was 35 years and the median follow-up was 45 months. Ten patients were symptomatic at diagnosis, while none were symptomatic at the end of follow-up. The median size of the lesions was 56 mm. No complications occurred. The size of the tumor remained stable in 19 patients, increased in 12 and decreased in 13. Twenty-one of 37 patients stopped taking oral contraceptives at diagnosis: the lesion remained stable in 11 patients, increased in 3 and decreased in 7. Two patients didn't stop taking oral contraceptives: the lesion increased in one, decreased in the other. Six patients became pregnant and 6 patients went into menopause during follow-up: the lesion remained stable in 3 and 4 patients respectively.

Focal nodular hyperplasia is a benign lesion. Tumor size remained stable in most cases. It seems that the hormonal status has little or no influence on the course of the disease.