Liver cancer surgery is one option for treating liver cancer. If the entire liver is penetrated by the tumor, surgical removal is only possible in combination with a transplant. For solitary tumors that are only located in one lobe of the liver, liver cancer surgery is the treatment of choice.
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Liver cancer surgery is used to remove liver tumors. Parts of liver lobes can be removed, entire liver lobes or even the entire organ.
Surgical removal of the entire liver must be followed by a liver transplant, as the liver has vital functions. However, liver transplants are only an option for a small percentage of patients (less than 5%).
Surgical partial resection of liver tissue is the method of choice for tumors that
The aim is to remove all of the tumor tissue. If this is done, liver cancer surgery is often curative, i.e. the disease is cured. Early diagnosis is essential for this.
Over 75% of liver cancer cases are already too advanced for complete surgical removal at the time of diagnosis.
Liver cancer surgery is
possible. If the tumor has already spread throughout the body (metastases), the surgeon and the treating internist will weigh up whether the operation can achieve an improvement.
The doctor therefore checks liver function before every operation. The patient's general condition also plays a role in the decision to operate on liver cancer.
Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) is a malignant tumor that can spread to other organs. It originates directly from malignantly altered liver cells. The lungs or bones are frequently affected. Primary liver cancer can develop from hepatitis or liver cirrhosis.
There is also cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), which originates in the bile duct cells. However, it can spread into the liver tissue.
However, secondary liver cancer is more common than primary liver cancer. These are liver metastases. These are metastases from tumors in other organs. Tumors
can spread to the liver, for example.
In order to successfully treat secondary liver cancer, the primary tumor must first be found and treated.
The anatomy of the liver © Henrie | AdobeStock
Before liver cancer surgery, the doctor will carry out various tests. This will rule out concomitant diseases and determine whether the liver tumor is benign or malignant. This may include
may be necessary. The latter are often also used for surgical planning.
General anesthesia is required for the operation. The surgeon then opens the abdominal cavity to gain access to the liver. Liver tumors must be removed at a safe distance from healthy tissue so that no tumor cells are left behind.
Tumors can be removed using the following methods:
If the remaining liver is healthy, up to three-quarters of the liver tissue can be removed without any functional impairment.
After liver cancer surgery, the doctor will carry out regular check-ups to rule out recurrence of the disease. Such check-ups consist of blood tests or ultrasound scans of the liver and take place approximately every six months.
A biopsy is usually taken if a new change in the liver tissue is suspected.
After liver surgery, the patient must avoid risk factors for liver disease. These include
German Cancer Aid (www.krebshilfe.de) offers extensive information for patients and their relatives. It can also help you to find a self-help group.
The more liver tissue is removed and the longer the operation takes, the higher the risk of complications. Treatment risks of liver cancer surgery are, for example
The chances of recovery from liver cancer depend heavily on how early the disease is detected. The following play an important role
The location of the liver tumors and therefore their accessibility is also crucial.
In many cases, successful liver cancer surgery results in a survival time of more than five years.
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