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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Image of enlarged liver Enlarged liver

An enlarged liver is one that's bigger than normal. The liver is a large, football-shaped organ found in the upper right portion of your abdomen. The medical term for enlarged liver is hepatomegaly (hep-uh-to-MEG-uh-le).

Enlarged liver isn't a disease. It's a sign of an underlying problem, such as liver disease, congestive heart failure or cancer.

Treatment for enlarged liver involves identifying and controlling the underlying cause of the condition.

Symptoms

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References
  1. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00043-4--s0450&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&sid=1264123271&uniqId=316059410-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00043-4--s0450. Accessed Feb. 8, 2012.
  2. Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1604-7.00148-2&isbn=978-1-4377-1604-7&sid=1264125672&uniqId=316059410-4#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1604-7..00148-2. Accessed Feb. 8, 2012.
  3. Wolf AD, et al. Hepatomegaly in neonates and children. Pediatrics in Review. 2000;21:303.
  4. Managing your medications. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/mym. Accessed Feb. 8, 2012.
  5. Seeff LB. Herbal hepatoxicity. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2007;11:577.
  6. Talwani R, et al. Infectious diseases and the liver. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2011;15:111.
  7. Liver health and wellness. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/liverhealth. Accessed Feb. 8, 2012.
  8. Nguyen D, et al. Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. Hepatology. 2011;53:2107.
  9. Ehman RL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 1, 2012.
DS00638 April 14, 2012

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