London, Aug 18 - A six-month treatment with a synthetic gastro-intestinal hormone, Lanreotide, significantly decreased swollen cystic livers, compared to a 'wait and see' policy, says a new research.

At least five percent of the population have one or two cysts in the liver. Cysts are fluid-filled cavities. There are also many patients who have numerous cysts - a polycystic liver.

These cysts cause the liver to grow to four to six times its normal size. Until recently, surgery was the only possible treatment for these patients, but surgery leads to many complications, and the outcome is not always successful.

Ultimately, these patients need a liver transplantation, but in view of the limited availability of organs, only a few are actually transplanted.