The authors report a case of giant cavernous hemangioma of the liver, almost entirely extrahepatic, bulging from the inferior surface of the right lobe into the abdomen, treated surgically on account of worsening symptoms referable to continuing growth. A thorough search of the literature allows a critical review of the surgical indication in this benign pathology, rarely complicated by significant clinical events. Surgery is indicated, in lack of re l e vant complications, only when significant symptoms, continuing or worsening, are undoubtely referable to the presence of the angioma .