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Conditions · Liver
Liver tumours are growths in the liver that may be benign, primary liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma, or spread from another organ, commonly the bowel. Assessment uses scans, blood tests, and biopsy only when it changes management. Surgery removes part of the liver when the likely benefit outweighs the risks and enough healthy liver can remain; other options include observation, ablation, and systemic treatment planned in a multidisciplinary team.
Benign & cancer
Both types assessed carefully
Keyhole / open
Approach matched to your case
Regenerates
The liver can grow back
Team care
Surgery planned with your specialists
Examples include haemangiomas, adenomas, and cysts. Many need nothing more than watching. Others are better removed if they are growing, causing symptoms, or carry a risk of bleeding.
Primary liver cancer starts in the liver itself; the most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumour, and how well the rest of your liver is working.
Often from bowel cancer (colorectal liver metastases). Selected patients may be considered for resection after multidisciplinary assessment of disease extent, liver reserve and other treatment options.
Some growths are best watched. Some are treated with medicines, ablation, or other approaches first. Tom will be honest about the trade-offs.
Tom reviews your scans and history with you, explains what the growth is likely to be, and answers your questions about the scan and what happens next.
You discuss surgery, observation and non-surgical treatments, including their expected benefits and risks, before deciding on a plan.
A liver resection removes the affected part using an open or keyhole approach when clinically appropriate. Planning considers tumour location and the amount and function of liver that will remain.
Most people stay in hospital for several days. You will be walking early, and the team will guide you through each stage of your recovery.
Material risks can include bleeding or transfusion, infection, bile leak, liver failure, blood clots, chest complications and death. Consultation covers individual risk, expected recovery and who to contact if symptoms change.
Yes. The liver is one of the few organs that regenerates. After a carefully planned resection, the remaining liver usually grows back over weeks to months.
Sometimes, especially when cancer has spread from elsewhere. Tom works closely with your oncologist so the surgical and medical plans fit together.
For selected tumours, yes. Tom will explain whether a keyhole approach is safe and suitable for your particular case.
It varies with the size of the operation, but many people stay several days. You will have a clearer sense of timing once Tom has reviewed your scans and planned the surgery.
In Professor Hugh's study of 320 patients who had liver resection for bowel cancer liver metastases, median survival was 69.6 months and one in three was alive at 10 years. Recurrence is common, and 40 patients had repeat liver surgery. Read the 10-year results.
Most simple liver cysts are harmless and found by chance on a scan. A large cyst can cause pain, fullness or breathlessness by pressing on nearby organs, and those are the cysts that may need treatment. Read the liver cyst study.
Symptoms matter more than size alone. In Professor Hugh's study of 95 patients, cysts treated with surgery averaged 12 cm and caused symptoms, and after keyhole stapled excision only 9% had symptoms return over about five years. Read the full results.
ANZ Journal of Surgery 2026
Across 320 patients followed for a median of about 10 years, one in three was alive 10 years after liver resection.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022
A review of how protein profiling could predict liver spread and recurrence after surgery for bowel cancer.
Surgical Endoscopy 2018
After keyhole removal of symptomatic liver cysts, 9% had symptoms return over about five years, with quality of life matching watched patients.
Last updated 25 August 2026