Liver Cancer Surgery: What to Expect With Recovery
- Liver cancer surgery, including open and minimally invasive types, can lead to excellent results, sometimes curing the disease.
- Recovery times vary, generally spanning 3-6 weeks, influenced by the surgery type and individual health.
- In general, recovery is easier after minimally invasive procedures.
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines help manage post-surgery recovery with the goal of lessening stress and improving results.
- Surgery results and the need for further treatment depend on the cancer stage, overall health, and surgical approach.
However, it will take some time before you can get back to your regular activities after undergoing liver cancer surgery.
Read MoreHow will surgery type affect my recovery?
Dr. Newman explains that when deciding on what type of surgery to have, there are two major considerations. “Assessing the safety of removal in terms of where it’s located relative to blood vessels and making sure that after we remove a piece of the liver, we’ll still have enough liver left for good function,” he says.There are two types of surgery your care team will consider for treating liver cancer: open and minimally invasive.
Traditional open surgery, including traditional liver resection and liver transplantation, involves making a large incision (cut into the body) so your doctor can directly access and treat the affected area. It’s usually reserved for more complex cases.
Open surgery offers clear visibility and space for the surgeon to operate.
In minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon makes a small incision and uses specialized instruments to remove cancerous tissue. If your tumor is small and contained and your overall health is good, your surgeon will opt for this type of treatment.
There are many different types of minimally invasive surgery ranging from resection, where the cancer tissue is removed through a small incision, to ablation, where electricity or temperature isolate and kill cancer cells.
Your recovery time will depend on the type of surgery you have.
Open surgery recovery
With open surgery, the recovery typically lasts around three to six weeks from the time you leave the hospital.
You may experience an array of symptoms after surgery, including:
- Tiredness
- Reduced appetite
- Decreased focus
The larger incisions can mean more postoperative pain and greater chances of complications
Minimally invasive surgery recovery
When minimally invasive surgery can be used, recovery tends to be quicker than open surgery. Smaller incisions mean less pain and faster wound healing.
Full recovery can still take from three to six weeks, but patients tend to feel better much faster.
Related: Understanding the Link Between Liver Cancer and Alcohol
How can I manage my recovery?
Doctors typically manage the recovery period after liver surgery by following the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines.
The goal is to reduce surgical stress and improve outcomes.
ERAS includes:
- Preoperative measures like avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Nutritional support
- Prehabilitation for high-risk patients.
- Pain management
- Monitoring for complications
- Gradual physical rehabilitation
Your care team will tailor your recovery plan to your specific needs, taking into account the type of surgery and overall health.
What results can I expect?
Remember that individual outcomes can vary based on factors such as the stage of cancer, overall health, and specific treatment approaches. Consult with your medical team to understand your unique situation and make informed decisions.
Generally, minimally invasive surgery for liver cancer is associated with positive outcomes like shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, quicker recovery, and results about the same as traditional open surgery.
Surgery can sometimes be a potential cure for liver cancer, especially when the cancer is detected early and is localized within the liver.
Success rate can vary widely depending on:
- Type and stage of liver cancer
- Specific technique used
- Patient’s overall health
- Expertise of the surgical team
Research looking at survival rates show:
- The five-year relative survival rate after surgery when you take into account patients with all stages of liver cancer is approximately 18%.
- One study found that patients who underwent liver resection surgery had good long-term survival rates, with 89% surviving to one year and more than half still alive at five years.
- For patients with early-stage liver cancer, surgery can be a potential cure.
- The five-year survival rate for localized liver cancer (when the tumor is confined to the liver and hasn’t spread extensively) is approximately 33%
Will I need additional treatment?
Some patients need additional treatment before or after surgery. This depends on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.
Common additional treatments include:
- Chemotherapy to prevent recurrence.
- Radiation therapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
- Targeted drugs that specifically kill cancer without hurting surrounding healthy tissue
- Immunotherapy to boost the body’s immune system
- Ablation therapies with techniques like radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation to address small tumors that remain or recur
According to Dr. Newman, the need for added treatment depends on a detailed assessment by your care team.
Questions to ask your doctor
- How long will my recovery take?
- How long before I can return to regular activities?
- What problems can I expect during the recovery period and how will we manage them?
- Will I need any additional treatment?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.