What are the alternatives to liver resection?

Treatment depends on whether the tumour began in the liver or spread from another organ, its size and position, the number of areas involved, liver function and your general health. Tumour ablation uses heat or another energy source to destroy a selected tumour through a needle or probe. It may suit some smaller, accessible lesions. Medicines can treat cancer throughout the body, while radiation-based approaches may target a liver area in selected cases.

The clinical context shapes the plan: [Liver Cancer](/conditions/liver-cancer/), [Liver Metastases](/conditions/liver-metastases/) and [Bowel Cancer](/conditions/colorectal-cancer/) have different treatment pathways. [Tumour Ablation](/treatments/surgical-oncology/tumour-ablation/) describes one local option.

Ask whether imaging shows one treatable focus or disease in several areas. Your team may review liver blood tests, scans, biopsy findings and the original cancer diagnosis. Discuss whether the goal is to remove visible disease, control growth, relieve symptoms or support other treatment. Ask about anaesthesia, hospital time, recovery, follow-up scans and how the plan protects healthy liver tissue.

Seek prompt medical advice for new jaundice, increasing abdominal swelling, persistent vomiting, severe right-sided abdominal pain, confusion or unusual sleepiness. After a procedure, fever, worsening pain, bleeding or shortness of breath needs assessment. Urgent help is needed for heavy bleeding, collapse or sudden severe illness.

Where did the cancer start? How many liver areas need treatment? Is ablation technically possible? Would medicines or radiation be used before or after a local treatment? How will liver function and treatment response be checked?