When a patient suffers from disease originating in the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, or gallbladder, and tumors form in those areas, physicians may decide to perform hepatobiliary surgery. ("Hepatobiliary" refers to the aforementioned areas.) Tumors on the gallbladder and bile ducts are considered rare, and can only be resolved through extensive surgery.
Such tumors are often detected by CT or MRI scans of the abdomen. In some cases, physicians may call for a biopsy to confirm a tumor diagnosis. Treatment may vary depending on where a tumor forms. Only liver transplantation or resection can cure primary liver cancer, while pancreatic tumors require surgical intervention. Minimally invasive techniques may be available to the patient depending on the size and location of the tumor.