Surgery

Endoscopic resection: Surgery to remove a small tumor that is on the inside lining of the GI tract. An endoscope is inserted through the mouth and passed through the esophagus to the stomach and sometimes, the duodenum. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light, a lens for viewing, and a tool for removing tumor tissue.

Local excision: Surgery to remove the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it.

Resection: Surgery to remove part or all of the organ that contains cancer. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed.

Cryosurgery: A treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy the tumor. This type of treatment is also called cryotherapy. The doctor may use ultrasound to guide the instrument.

Radiofrequency ablation: The use of a special probe with tiny electrodes that release high-energy radio waves (similar to microwaves) that kill cancer cells. The probe may be inserted through the skin or through an incision (cut) in the abdomen.

Liver transplant: Surgery to remove the whole liver and replace it with a healthy donated liver.

Hepatic artery embolization: A procedure to embolize (block) the hepatic artery, which is the main blood vessel that brings blood into the liver. Blocking the flow of blood to the liver helps kill cancer cells growing there.