Identification of malignant tumors in the liver

Abstract

To date, surgery is the only curative treatment option for patients with resectable metastases in the liver and is regarded as standard-of-care. However, recurrence rates remain high, which might partly be explained by the inability of conventional technologies to detect small lesions. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging is able to detect lesions as small as 1 mm, but only if they are localized on or several millimeters below the liver surface. Several studies reported the identification of otherwise undetectable liver tumors using near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Research in the coming years will have to determine if this technology is truly beneficial for patients requiring resection of malignant liver tumors.