Primary and secondary liver cancer, types of surgeries
1. Big picture
Liver cancer surgery is not decided only by tumour size. It depends on three questions:
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What tumour is it? Primary liver cancer: mainly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Secondary liver cancer: mainly liver metastases, especially from colorectal cancer.
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Can all tumour be removed or destroyed? Curative treatment requires complete clearance of disease: resection, ablation, transplantation, or a combination.
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Will enough functioning liver remain? The liver remnant must be large and healthy enough to prevent postoperative liver failure.
The most important oral-exam sentence:
Liver surgery is possible only if the tumour is oncologically resectable and the future liver remnant is functionally sufficient.
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