What are the main groups of patients who are candidates for liver resection and/or ablation?

Few and small: Generally speaking, people with fewer (3 or less) and smaller tumors, with disease only in the liver will be candidates for these therapies, with resection generally preferred. This decision is usually made after discussion between the oncologist, liver surgeon and interventional radiologist.

Depends: Liver tumors in people healthy enough to have them resected are normally recommended resection. People in worse health medically or those with tumors in areas that cannot be resected can be offered ablation in certain cases.