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Liver Surgery Program
Mass General Brigham provides the best possible care for patients with hepatobiliary conditions and related complications. You can access the latest therapies and innovative treatments that address common and complex liver disorders.
Leaders in surgical care for hepatobiliary disorders
At Mass General Brigham, our surgeons are among the world's leaders in diagnosing and treating hepatobiliary conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, and bile duct. Our team pioneered and continues to perfect minimally invasive surgical techniques to address common and complex disorders, from gallstones to rare liver and gallbladder cancers. We tailor treatment plans to provide you with the most effective, research-driven care.
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Our approach to liver surgery
Our team provides compassionate, personalized care and advanced surgical expertise to treat both common and complex hepatobiliary conditions.
Experience that matters
Liver surgery is highly complex. Research shows that hospitals performing a high volume of these procedures have lower complication rates. At Mass General Brigham, our surgeons perform approximately 145 liver surgeries each year, building the experience and technical expertise that support better outcomes for our patients.
Team-based approach
Our team collaborates with specialists across Mass General Brigham, bringing together shared expertise to guide your care. Whether your diagnosis involves cancer or a benign condition, your care team may include:
- Gastroenterologists
- Liver pathologists
- Medical and radiation oncologists
- Anesthesiologists
Advanced options for complex liver tumors
When tumors cannot be safely removed with surgery, we offer advanced, targeted therapies designed to control or reduce tumor burden and, in some cases, make surgery possible. These may include:
- Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) pumps to deliver high-dose chemotherapy directly to the tumor
- Microwave ablation to destroy cancer cells using heat
- Portal vein embolization (PVE) to redirect blood flow and promote growth of the healthy portion of the liver before surgery
- Transarterial therapies, which deliver treatment through blood vessels directly to tumors, including chemotherapy (TACE) or radiation beads (radioembolization/Y-90)
Pioneering radiation therapies
Certain tumors benefit from highly targeted radiation therapy. These techniques use advanced imaging and planning to precisely treat tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue:
- External beam radiation therapy to deliver high-dose radiation to cancer cells
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to adjust beam strength based on tumor location
- Proton beam therapy to precisely target tumors while sparing surrounding tissue
- MRI-guided stereotactic radiation therapy for precise, image-guided treatment
Research-driven innovation
Our clinician-scientists are international leaders in developing new surgical techniques and therapies for hepatobiliary conditions, including cancer. These approaches combine minimally invasive surgery, targeted radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to deliver more effective treatment. Patients also have access to clinical trials evaluating the latest treatments for liver disease.
Related conditions and treatments
Our surgical team provides personalized care for patients with a wide range of hepatobiliary conditions.
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis B
- Bile Duct Cancer
- Portal Hypertension
- Acute Liver Failure
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Liver Transplant
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Liver Tumors
- Liver Biopsy
- Chemoembolization for Liver Cancer
- Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Hepatic Angiography
Contact the Liver Surgery Program
Call us to speak with a team member who can help you understand your options and guide you to the care that is right for you. With locations throughout New England and support for patients traveling from outside the United States, we make it easier to access coordinated, expert care.
Phone
Massachusetts General Hospital
617-724-6006
Brigham and Women's Hospital
617-732-6802
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