Liver

Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), falls under the category of hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers. Surgical intervention plays a crucial role in the management of liver HPB cancers, aiming to remove the tumor and potentially cure the disease, particularly in early-stage cases. Various surgical procedures may be employed based on the extent of the cancer, liver function, and overall health of the patient.

Liver Resection:

• Liver resection, also known as partial hepatectomy, involves the surgical removal of a portion of the liver containing the cancerous tumor. This procedure is suitable for patients with localized liver cancer and sufficient remaining liver tissue to maintain adequate liver function post-surgery.
• The goal of liver resection is to achieve complete removal of the tumor while preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible. The extent of resection depends on the size, location, and number of tumors, as well as the underlying liver function.
• Advances in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted liver resection, have improved outcomes and reduced postoperative complications for eligible patients.

Liver Transplantation

• Liver transplantation may be considered for select patients with early-stage liver cancer who meet specific criteria, such as limited tumor size and number, absence of vascular invasion or extrahepatic spread, and adequate liver function.
• During liver transplantation, the entire diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy donor liver. This procedure offers the potential for cure and can be particularly beneficial for patients with underlying liver disease, such as cirrhosis, who are at high risk of tumor recurrence after resection.

Locoregional Therapies:

• In addition to surgery, locoregional therapies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) may be used to treat unresectable liver tumors or as adjunctive therapies to surgery.
• These minimally invasive procedures aim to destroy cancerous tissue within the liver while sparing healthy surrounding tissue, providing options for patients who are not candidates for surgery or liver transplantation.