Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors

The incidence of primary and metastatic liver tumors is rising and the therapeutic armamentarium for these tumors is expanding at a rapid pace. Surgery remains the primary treatment modality for these tumors. With improvements in our perioperative management and operative techniques a larger proportion of patients are able to undergo potentially curative liver surgery. In addition, indications and criteria for liver transplantation for both primary and metastatic liver tumors are constantly expanding. Unfortunately, many patients are not amendable to surgical resection or liver transplantation and therefore alternative liver-directed therapies are routinely being implemented as part of complex multidisciplinary treatment models. However, these models are continually evolving as these regional therapeutic options continue to expand. New embolization agents and techniques, as well as, improvements in radiation delivery, are all evolving in the background of improvement in systemic and targeted therapy options for these tumors. This book provides a comprehensive, state-of-the art review of the current state of liver-directed therapy for malignant liver tumors. The book will serve as a valuable resource for not only surgeons and clinicians but for researchers with an interest in malignant liver tumors. The book focuses on the therapeutic approach to primary and metastatic tumors providing an up-to-date review on surgical liver anatomy and new imaging techniques as well as patient selection and technical consideration for resection and transplantation. In addition, the book provides new insight into novel and evolving therapies in the areas of transarterial therapy such as: (i) bland embolization, (ii) chemoembolization, and (iii) radioembolization; as well as new radiation techniques including SBRT and proton therapy. Furthermore, the expanding role of hepatic artery infusion therapy in primary malignant tumorsis highlighted. Finally, integration of all these regional therapy options with upcoming and evolving systemic and targeted therapy regimens are integrated and discussed. This book will serve as a very useful resource for clinicians and researchers managing and treating patients with these challenging malignancies. It provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the current status of the field that will help guide patient management and stimulate investigative efforts. All chapters are written by experts in their fields and include the most up to date scientific and clinical information.