Liver Tumors

We make it easy to get an appointment. At Lahey, our liver tumor team prioritizes your care. It’s our goal to help you start treatment quickly.

You can take steps to get the most from your visit.

Prepare for Your Visit

Follow these tips to prepare for your appointment:

• Know your insurance coverage: Contact your health insurance company to check what services are covered. You may need certain authorizations or referrals during your care. If you have questions, you can work with a Lahey financial coordinator.
• Prepare a list of questions: Write down your questions for your care team. Bring a pen and paper to take notes. Here are some questions to consider:
  • What type of tumor or cancer do I have?
  • What is the extent of my disease?
  • What are my treatment choices?
  • What are the side effects of my treatment?
  • How can I learn more about my diagnosis, my treatment and how to cope?
  • How can I deal with my fear and anxiety?
  • What if I have financial or insurance concerns?

On the Day of Your Visit

Please be on time. We suggest you bring the following to your appointment:

• Any images (X-rays, MRI or CT scans) or test results
• A list of the prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements or herbs you take
• A list of your allergies or reactions to medications
• Your list of questions for the care team

You should also bring a support person, family member or friend with you. It’s helpful if someone can assist you in gathering information about your health and treatment options.

After Your Visit

When you come to Lahey for liver tumor care, we surround you with support.

We know it can be tough to navigate the health system, so your care team includes dedicated support staff, such as:

• Liver physician assistant
• Nurse navigators (RN)
• Transplant nurse navigator

Your support team can quickly answer your questions during any phase of care. We also regularly review your treatment plan with your doctors to ensure your care progresses as planned.

Your treatment will depend on your type of tumor, your symptoms and the tumor location. You and your care team discuss your options and create the best treatment plan.

Treatments we offer include:

• Watchful waiting: Your care team monitors your symptoms. We use imaging to check the growth of your tumor. If your condition worsens, we provide the right treatment.
• Surgery: Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your liver tumor. We use a minimally invasive approach. In some cases, robotic surgery may be your best option.
• Ablation: This is a type of interventional radiology treatment. Your doctor can use heat (microwave ablation or radiofrequency ablation) or cold (cryoablation) to destroy tumor cells without the need for surgery.
• Transplant: If your tumors increase your risk for bleeding or cancer, your doctor may recommend a liver transplant. You get care from a specialized team of surgeons, nurses and technicians.

At Lahey, we use a team approach. You get advanced treatment and support from a wide range of specialists.

Liver Tumor Medical Team

Your medical care team may include:

Liver Tumor Support Team

You get ongoing support at Lahey from a team that stays by your side during your treatment journey. Your support team includes a:

• Dietitian
• Financial coordinator
• Liver tumor administrative assistant/scheduler
• Social worker
• Specialty pharmacist