About Liver Cancer
Key Highlights
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Curative intent for localized liver cancer, offering the best chance for long-term survival.Performed by specialized surgical oncologists with expertise in liver anatomy and complex cancer surgery.Utilization of advanced, minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic/robotic) for reduced pain and quicker recovery.Precision surgery aims to remove all cancerous tissue while maximizing preservation of healthy liver function.Can be combined with other treatments like ablation, embolization, or chemotherapy for a multimodal approach.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma - HCC, Cholangiocarcinoma) confined to the liver.
- Select cases of colorectal or other cancers that have metastasized only to the liver (oligometastatic disease).
- Tumors are technically resectable, meaning they can be completely removed with adequate margins.
- Patient has sufficient future liver remnant (FLR) volume and adequate liver function (Child-Pugh class A or B).
- Patient is in acceptable overall health (good performance status) to tolerate major abdominal surgery.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive evaluation including blood tests (liver function, coagulation), imaging (CT, MRI), and sometimes a liver biopsy.
- Assessment of future liver remnant volume via CT volumetry to ensure post-safety.
- Preoperative optimization: managing cirrhosis, improving nutrition, and stopping certain medications (blood thinners).
- Consultations with anesthesiologist, hepatologist, and possibly an interventional radiologist for preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) if needed.
- Patient education on the procedure, risks, and the recovery process, including breathing exercises.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: bleeding, infection, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Liver-specific complications: liver failure (especially if remnant is too small), bile leak, and ascites (fluid buildup).
- Post-hepatectomy liver failure is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication.
- Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) and pneumonia.
- Long-term risks include recurrence of cancer and, rarely, liver insufficiency.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay involves monitoring in a specialized unit for liver function, pain management, and early mobilization.
- Diet is gradually advanced from liquids to solid foods as bowel function returns.
- Pain is managed with medications, transitioning from IV to oral forms.
- Patients are encouraged to walk soon after surgery to prevent complications but must avoid heavy lifting for several weeks.
- Follow-up includes regular visits for wound checks, imaging (CT/MRI), and blood tests (AFP tumor marker) to monitor for recurrence.
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Typical hospital stay: 5-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering liver cancer in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with surgical oncology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform liver cancer. MediFyr helps you compare surgical oncologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for liver cancer compare across other countries where we have data.
Sophia Davis, a 58-year-old elementary school...
Sophia Davis, a 58-year-old elementary school librarian and mother of two, had always been health-conscious. Her diagnosis came as a devastating shock. For months, she had dismissed her persistent fatigue and vague upper abdominal discomfort as stress and aging. When she developed a noticeable loss of appetite and her skin took on a slight yellow tinge, her primary care physician ordered tests. An ultrasound and subsequent MRI revealed a single, 4.5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma tumor in her liver. Her surgical oncologist, Dr. Evans, explained that Sophia was a good candidate for a partial hepatectomy to remove the tumor, given its size and location and her otherwise healthy liver. The surgery was intense; she spent five days in the hospital managing pain and beginning to walk again. The recovery at home was slow, requiring help from her family for several weeks. Emotionally, Sophia was terrified before the procedure, grappling with the word 'cancer' and fears for her future. Post-surgery, with pathology confirming clear margins and no spread, her fear gradually gave way to profound gratitude and a cautious optimism. She now attends regular surveillance scans with a renewed focus on living fully, volunteering at a cancer support center to help others.
Surgical Oncologists for Liver Cancer
Explore experienced surgical oncologists who regularly perform liver cancer and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 9 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Surgical Oncologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore