THIS INFORMATION IS OFFERED AS AN
EXPLANATION AND A GUIDE TO HOSPITAL TREATMENT

It is not intended to be medical advice, which may
only be given by a doctor

STAGING

When a diagnosis of cancer is made, the surgeon will need to know the extent (stage) of the disease. Staging is the way to determine the size of the tumour and whether the disease has spread to other parts of the body. To do this, the surgeon will organise imaging tests such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound or angiogram.

For more information look in the Patient's Guide to treatment options for secondary liver cancer

RESECTABLE CANCER

This cancer can be removed by surgery. Before performing a liver resection, the surgeon will have the test results to show the liver is functioning well and the disease has not spread to other organs.

NON-RESECTABLE CANCER

This cancer cannot be removed by surgery. The tumour may be impossible to remove because of where it is located in the liver, or the liver does not function properly or other health problems.

It is important to note patients will be offered other treatments to control the disease and extend life. Treatments such as radiofrequency ablation may be offered. Chemotherapy may be prescribed for patients with resectable and non-resectable cancer.

For more information look in the patient's guide for treatment options for secondary liver cancer (http://www.liver.org.uk/pages/patientsguide)

Questions a patient with non-resectable cancer may wish to ask the surgeon

RECURRENT CANCER

This means, after the initial treatment, the disease has returned. Even when the liver tumour seems to be completely removed or destroyed, there may be residual cancer cells in the body which were undetected.
The patient may be offered surgery or other treatments for recurrent liver cancer.

Questions a patient needing a biopsy may wish to ask the surgeon

For more information about Secondary Liver Cancer, please visit our patient's guide.