Malignant liver tumors are one of most common tumors world wide. Moreover the liver is the most frequent tumor-affected organ in comparison to other organs. This is true for primary tumors as well as metastases from other tumors. These metastases could be from intestinal tumors (carcinoma of colon and rectum), carcinoma of breast, skin cancers (melanoma), pancreas carcinoma and carcinoma of stomach. Only 5% of all liver metastases can be surgically removed with a survival rate of 5 years in 25 to 35%. Each therapy is individually planned according to the stage and type of liver disease and after intensive interdisciplinary consultation between the mentioned specialities.↵
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A complete cure in case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can only be achieved through operative removal or liver transplantation. The decision of operative treatment of liver tumor depends on the stage of the disease. The hepatobiliary surgery team of the liver centre headed by Professor Dr. Bechstein is a part of Department of General and Vascular Surgery. The University Hospital Frankfurt is the only designated transplantation centre for liver, heart, lungs, kidneys and pancreas in the state of Hessen. About 138 liver transplantations have been conducted here since the end of 2002. A transplantation of liver can be performed in patients with advanced cirrhosis depending on extent of fibrotic changes - i.e., when most of the liver tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue. Besides liver transplantation Prof. Bechstein and his team also offer the possibility of atypical (non-anatomical) wedge-resection, segmental resection, hemihepatectomy of right or left lobe of liver and extended hemihepatectomy. If surgical excision of the tumor is not possible or too risky due to its size or location, neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic procedures help reduce the tumor size and make it operable. As an alternative to surgical resection the interventional radiology team offers various therapy options.

 

Document Date: 2007/06/13   Author: Ahmed Koujan

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