Assessment prior to liver tumor resection: what a radiologist needs to know

Liver tumor resection remains the mainstay of treatment for patients with primary and secondary hepatic malignancies and can potentially be a curative option. With advances in surgical techniques, systemic therapies, and perioperative management, resectability criteria have expanded over time yet operative planning must still be carefully weighed between oncologic benefit and surgical risks along with residual liver function. While tumor detection is critical, radiologists also have an essential role in assessing tumor resectability, evaluating background liver disease, identifying surgically relevant vascular and biliary anatomy, and estimating future liver remnant adequacy. This review article aims to provide a practical guide for radiologists involved in the preoperative evaluation of patients with liver tumors. It highlights key surgical indications and contraindications for common hepatic malignancies, outlines essential preoperative imaging findings relevant to surgical planning and reviews the types of surgical resections.