What is Liver Cancer Surgery?

Liver cancer surgery is a primary treatment option for individuals diagnosed with liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sometimes it is also done for patients of other cancers with metastatic disease to the liver.

The liver is a vital organ responsible for various essential functions, including filtering blood, metabolizing nutrients, and detoxifying harmful substances. Liver cancer surgery aims to remove the cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible to maintain liver function. In this comprehensive overview, we will discuss liver cancer surgery, its goals, techniques, considerations, and potential outcomes.

Types of Liver Cancer Surgery:

Hepatectomy: The most common liver cancer surgery is called a hepatectomy, which involves the surgical removal of the tumor along with a portion of the liver. The extent of the hepatectomy depends on the size and location of the tumor and the amount of liver tissue needed to be removed to achieve complete tumor removal (clear surgical margins).
Liver Resection: In cases where the tumor is small and confined to a specific lobe of the liver, a liver resection may be performed. This surgery involves removing the affected lobe while preserving the rest of the liver.
Living Donor Liver Transplantation (LDLT): In selected cases of early-stage liver cancer and patients with cirrhosis, living donor liver transplantation may be considered. In this procedure, a portion of a healthy liver from a living donor is transplanted into the recipient, replacing the diseased liver.

Considerations for Surgery:

Liver cancer surgery requires careful patient selection and evaluation. Factors such as the size and location of the tumor, the extent of liver cirrhosis (if present), the patient’s overall liver function, and the absence of extrahepatic spread (cancer spread beyond the liver) are considered to determine if surgery is feasible and safe.

Liver Function Assessment:

Before liver cancer surgery, a thorough assessment of liver function is essential to ensure that the remaining liver tissue is healthy enough to sustain normal liver functions after surgery. In some cases, additional liver function tests, imaging studies, or liver biopsy may be performed to assess liver health.

Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery:

Advancements in surgical techniques have led to the increased use of minimally invasive approaches, such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted liver surgery. These techniques involve making small incisions and using specialized instruments and a camera to perform the surgery. Minimally invasive liver surgery may result in shorter hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

Liver Transplantation:

Liver transplantation is a treatment option for selected patients with early-stage liver cancer and underlying liver cirrhosis. The availability of suitable donor organs and the patient’s overall health are crucial factors considered in the decision-making process for liver transplantation.

Potential Complications:

As with any major surgery, liver cancer surgery carries potential risks and complications, including bleeding, infection, liver failure, and bile leakage. However, experienced liver surgeons and specialized liver centers have improved the safety and outcomes of these procedures.

Post-Surgery Recovery:

Recovery after liver cancer surgery can be challenging, and patients may experience fatigue, discomfort, and temporary changes in liver function. Post-surgery care includes pain management, monitoring of liver function, and appropriate nutritional support.

Adjuvant Therapies:

In some cases, liver cancer surgery may be followed by adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy, to target any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Long-term Follow-up:

Regular follow-up visits with the medical team are crucial to monitor the patient’s recovery, assess liver function, and detect any signs of cancer recurrence. Ongoing surveillance is essential to detect potential complications and ensure the best possible outcome for patients after liver cancer surgery.

Multidisciplinary Approach:

Liver cancer management requires a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including liver surgeons, hepatologists, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists, to provide comprehensive care tailored to the individual patient’s needs.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, liver cancer surgery is a crucial treatment option for selected patients with liver cancer. The primary goal is to achieve complete tumor removal while preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible to maintain liver function. Different surgical techniques, including hepatectomy, liver resection, and liver transplantation, may be used depending on the stage, location, and patient’s liver health. Advancements in surgical techniques, minimally invasive approaches, and supportive care continue to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by liver cancer. A multidisciplinary approach involving specialized liver centers and experienced healthcare professionals is essential in managing liver cancer effectively and optimizing patient outcomes.