Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEnlarged liver describes a liver that is larger than normal in size. The liver is a large, football-shaped organ found in the upper right portion of your abdomen. Enlarged liver is also known as hepatomegaly (hep-uh-to-MEG-uh-le).
Enlarged liver isn't a disease. Instead, enlarged liver is 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.
- Bergasa NV. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/178983847-2/0/1492/0.html. Accessed Jan. 19, 2010.
- Hepatomegaly. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/1785151917/0/2088/0.html. Accessed Jan. 15, 2010.
- Seeff LB. Herbal hepatoxicity. Clinics in Living Disease. 2007;11:577.
- Liver wellness. American Liver Foundation. http://www.liverfoundation.org/downloads/alf_download_29.pdf. Accessed Jan. 19, 2010.
- Wolf AD, et al. Hepatomegaly in neonates and children. Pediatrics in Review. 2000;21:303.

Find Mayo Clinic on