Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with liver cancer and advised to undergo surgery? Are you wondering what it means when doctors say “a part of the liver needs to be removed”?
This procedure, known as partial hepatectomy, is one of the most effective liver cancer treatment options that removes only the cancerous section while keeping the healthy liver intact.
For many patients, it offers a chance for long-term recovery and a healthy life. Let’s understand how this surgery works and why it is performed by top experts like Dr. Lalit Banswal, one of the best liver cancer surgeon in Pune.
Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Blog:
- What is partial hepatectomy, and when it needed
- How the surgery is planned and performed
- What are the risks and recovery expectations?
- Who is the right candidate for liver resection surgery
What Is a Partial Hepatectomy?
A partial hepatectomy is a liver resection surgery for cancer in which only the diseased or cancerous part of the liver is removed, while the remaining healthy portion continues to function normally.
Unlike a full liver transplant, it preserves your natural liver. The human liver has a unique ability to regenerate itself after surgery, which helps in faster recovery.
It’s often preferred in early-stage or localized liver cancers where the tumor hasn’t spread.
When Is the Surgery Recommended?
Doctors may suggest surgery for liver cancer in Pune when:
- The cancer is limited to one part of the liver
- The patient’s overall liver function is strong.
- The tumor can be safely removed with clear margins.
- There is no significant liver cirrhosis or spread to other organs.
This surgery is also useful for removing non-cancerous liver tumors or cysts that cause symptoms.
Planning the Procedure and Pre-Surgery Evaluation:
Before performing a partial hepatectomy, the medical team conducts a detailed evaluation to ensure the surgery is both safe and effective. This step is crucial because liver surgery requires careful planning of both the patient’s health and the remaining liver function.
Dr. Lalit Banswal, a trusted liver specialist in Pune Hadapsar, follows a multidisciplinary and patient-focused approach that includes four key aspects:
1. Patient Health and Risk Assessment:
Every patient’s overall health is assessed to determine if they can safely undergo major liver surgery and anesthesia.
- General health evaluation: The surgical team checks heart and lung function to confirm that the body can handle surgery.
- Existing medical conditions: Chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or fatty liver (steatosis) can increase surgical risks. Conditions like diabetes, older age, or previous chemotherapy are also considered.
- Nutritional status: Patients with poor nutrition, especially those with liver disease, are supported with pre-surgery nutrition plans to improve recovery chances.
- Performance status: Doctors evaluate how active and independent the patient is in daily life, which helps predict post-surgery recovery speed and tolerance.
2. Tumor Assessment and Surgical Planning:
Next, the tumor and surrounding liver structures are thoroughly mapped using advanced imaging techniques.
- High-resolution imaging: Triphasic CT scans or MRI are used to identify the tumor’s exact size, location, and its proximity to blood vessels and bile ducts.
- Team-based planning: A multidisciplinary tumor board, including surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists, reviews the images to decide whether an open, laparoscopic, or robotic approach is best.
- Cancer spread check: The team ensures that the tumor can be fully removed and there’s no cancer spread to other organs before proceeding with surgery.
3. Liver Function and Volume Assessment:
The liver’s ability to regenerate and function after surgery is one of the most critical aspects of planning.
- Liver reserve evaluation: Tests like Child-Pugh and MELD scores assess liver health through bilirubin, albumin, and coagulation factors.
- ICG clearance test: A special dye test (Indocyanine Green) helps check how well the liver filters substances, particularly helpful in complex cases.
- 3D volumetry: Using CT or MRI, surgeons calculate the Future Liver Remnant (FLR) — the part of the liver that will remain after surgery.
- For healthy livers, at least 20–25% of the liver must remain.
- For patients with prior chemotherapy, 30% is needed.
- For cirrhotic livers, a minimum of 40% is essential.
- Improving liver readiness: If the remaining liver is too small, a pre-surgery procedure called portal vein embolization (PVE) is done to increase its size and ensure safety during the hepatectomy.
4. Patient Counseling and Preoperative Preparation:
Before surgery, clear communication and preparation play a vital role.
- Informed consent: Dr. Lalit Banswal and his team explain the entire process, possible risks, expected outcomes, and recovery plans.
- Pre-surgery instructions: Patients receive detailed guidance about medications, fasting, and lifestyle changes — such as avoiding smoking or alcohol and pausing certain blood thinners.
The Surgical Process for partial hepatectomy:
During a partial hepatectomy, the surgeon removes the part of the liver affected by cancer while preserving healthy tissue, blood vessels, and bile ducts. The goal is to eliminate all cancerous cells while ensuring that enough healthy liver remains to function normally after the operation.
1. Open Surgery:
This is the traditional approach for liver resection surgery for cancer, performed through a single large incision in the abdomen. It allows the surgeon to directly access the liver, control bleeding effectively, and perform complex resections with precision.
- Best for: Large or deep-seated tumors, and cases where the tumor is close to major blood vessels.
- Recovery: Although recovery takes longer compared to minimally invasive options, it offers better visibility and safety in complex cases.
2. Laparoscopic Surgery:
In this minimally invasive liver surgery, several small incisions are made instead of one large cut. A tiny camera (laparoscope) and special surgical instruments are used to remove the tumor.
- Best for: Smaller or surface-level tumors, especially in the left or front part of the liver.
- Recovery: Patients often experience less pain, minimal scarring, and a quicker return to daily activities.
3. Robotic Surgery:
This advanced technique is a refinement of laparoscopic surgery. Here, the surgeon uses robotic arms that offer 3D vision and high precision for delicate movements.
- Best for: Tumors in complex or difficult-to-reach areas of the liver.
- Recovery: Comparable to laparoscopic surgery, with benefits like faster recovery, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stay.
Dr. Lalit Banswal, one of the best liver cancer surgeon in Pune, carefully selects the most suitable surgical approach for each patient. His expertise in robotic and laparoscopic liver surgery ensures safer procedures and better partial hepatectomy outcomes and recovery.
Every surgery is tailored to the patient’s condition, tumor location, and liver health, making the treatment both effective and patient-focused.
Risks and Possible Complications:
Like any major surgery, a partial hepatectomy carries some risks. Common risks of liver resection surgery include:
- Bleeding during or after surgery
- Bile leakage
- Temporary liver dysfunction
- Infection or delayed healing
With an experienced surgeon like Dr. Lalit Banswal, these risks are carefully managed using advanced surgical techniques and close post-operative monitoring.
Recovery, Regeneration & Follow-Up:
The good news is that the liver can regenerate up to its original size within weeks. Most patients stay in the hospital for about a week, depending on the partial hepatectomy outcomes and recovery.
Regular follow-ups, blood tests, and imaging are important to monitor healing and prevent recurrence. Patients can gradually resume a normal diet and activities under their doctor’s guidance.
Who Is and Isn’t a Good Candidate?
A partial hepatectomy is suitable for patients who:
- Have a single or limited number of liver tumors
- Have good liver function (no severe cirrhosis)
- Are in overall good health for anesthesia and recovery
Those with widespread cancer, poor liver function, or other organ complications might be guided towards hepatectomy vs transplant options after evaluation by a Pune liver specialist.
Conclusion:
A partial hepatectomy offers hope to many liver cancer patients by removing only the affected portion and allowing the healthy liver to regrow.
If you are seeking liver cancer treatment in Pune, consult Dr. Lalit Banswal, the Best Doctor for Cancer Treatment in Pune and recognized as the Best HPB Cancer Surgeon in Pune. He is known for his expertise in minimally invasive liver surgery, advanced techniques, and compassionate patient care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):
Your remaining liver regenerates naturally. Within a few weeks, it regrows to near-normal size and resumes its normal functions.
The cost varies based on hospital facilities, surgical approach (open or laparoscopic), and post-operative care. Your liver cancer doctor in Pune can provide an estimate after evaluation.
Success rates are high—especially when performed by expert surgeons like Dr. Lalit Banswal. Outcomes depend on overall health, tumor size, and liver function.
Yes. In early-stage cancer, liver resection surgery for cancer is one of the most effective treatments.
It’s a procedure where only the cancerous section of the liver is surgically removed, preserving healthy tissue.
Most patients recover within 4–8 weeks, depending on their health and the type of surgery performed.
