When Is Liver Surgery Recommended for Liver Tumour Removal?

One of the first considerations is whether the tumour is cancerous or non-cancerous.

Liver surgery may be recommended for:

Because different tumours behave differently, the recommended treatment is tailored to the underlying diagnosis.

Tumour size can influence the complexity of liver surgery, but it does not determine suitability on its own. Smaller tumours are often easier to remove while preserving healthy liver tissue. Larger tumours may still be suitable for surgery if they remain confined to one area of the liver and enough healthy liver can be preserved after the operation.

The position of the tumour within the liver is another important consideration. Tumours located close to major blood vessels or bile ducts may require more complex surgery because these structures are essential for normal liver function. Your surgeon will consider whether the tumour can be removed safely while preserving enough healthy liver to support recovery after surgery.

Patients with a single liver tumour are generally more likely to be suitable candidates for surgery. However, liver surgery may still be considered for patients with multiple tumours if they can all be removed while leaving sufficient healthy liver tissue behind. The overall distribution of the tumours within the liver is often more important than the number alone.

Healthy liver function is essential for a safe recovery after liver surgery. If the liver has already been affected by conditions such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or fatty liver disease, removing too much liver tissue may increase the risk of liver failure after surgery. Your surgeon will therefore assess how well your liver is functioning before recommending an operation.

Before recommending liver tumour removal, your surgeon will perform a comprehensive assessment to understand the tumour, evaluate your liver function and determine whether surgery can be performed safely. This usually involves a combination of blood tests, imaging studies and, in selected cases, a liver biopsy.

Imaging studies play a key role in planning liver surgery. Ultrasound, CT scans and MRI scans provide detailed images of the liver, allowing your surgeon to assess:

This information helps determine whether the tumour can be safely removed while preserving enough healthy liver tissue.

Several blood tests may be performed before surgery to evaluate your overall health and liver function.

These may include:

A liver biopsy is not required for every patient. However, if imaging findings are inconclusive or the diagnosis remains uncertain, your doctor may recommend taking a small sample of liver tissue using a specialised needle. The tissue is examined under a microscope to confirm the type of tumour, which helps guide treatment planning.

In addition to assessing the tumour itself, your surgeon will evaluate your general health to determine whether you are fit enough to undergo a major operation.

This may include reviewing any existing heart or lung conditions, current medications and other medical problems that could affect your recovery. Rather than age alone, the focus is on your overall health and ability to tolerate surgery.

Every liver tumour is unique, which means there is no single treatment approach that is suitable for everyone. A careful assessment allows your surgeon to recommend a management plan that balances effective tumour removal with preserving healthy liver function, helping you achieve the best possible outcome.

At Tay Khoon Hean Surgery, a pancreatic and liver surgery clinic in Singapore, care is led by Dr Tay Khoon Hean, who has over 25 years of experience in managing liver tumours. Schedule a consultation to discuss your condition and whether liver surgery is the most appropriate treatment for you.