Liver metastases declared unresectable
Your oncologist or a surgeon has said the liver metastases cannot be removed surgically. You want an independent specialist assessment to confirm or challenge that conclusion.
Reviewed by Dr. Francois Quenet and Prof. Fabrizio Panaro · Updated: June 2026
International Patients
Liver Metastases Surgery in Spain
Expert hepatic resection and combined strategies for colorectal and non-colorectal liver metastases. Your case reviewed by Dr. Quenet and the committee within 48 hours. We assess resectability before you travel.
Why international patients choose us for liver surgery
30+
Years experience in hepatic and oncological surgery
48 h
MDT review for international case assessments
R0 focus
Complete resection with negative margins as the surgical goal
4.9/5
Google rating from 51+ verified patient reviews
Is this your situation?
Cases we regularly assess from international patients
Colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases
You have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and simultaneous liver involvement. The order of treatment (primary first vs. liver first vs. simultaneous resection) requires expert planning.
Insufficient future liver remnant
The extent of liver involvement requires resection of a large volume of liver tissue. You need assessment for staged hepatectomy, portal vein embolisation (PVE), or ALPPS to generate adequate future liver remnant before surgery.
Non-colorectal liver metastases
Liver metastases from gastric cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, sarcoma, or other primaries. Resectability and surgical strategy differ by tumour biology. We assess all primary tumour types.
Recurrence after previous liver resection
You have had a previous hepatectomy and new liver metastases have appeared. Redo liver surgery is technically demanding and requires a team with specific experience in reoperative hepatic surgery.
Combined liver and peritoneal disease
Simultaneous hepatic and peritoneal metastases may require a combined resection strategy. We have specific expertise in this complex scenario, uncommon at most centres.
Our approach to liver metastases
Surgery remains the treatment most consistently associated with long-term survival in patients with resectable liver metastases. In colorectal origin, 5-year survival rates after complete resection are 30-50% in published series. The critical question is not whether the patient has metastases, but whether complete resection is achievable with adequate hepatic remnant and acceptable risk.
Remote resectability assessment from imaging
Before you travel, we review your CT or MRI in detail to assess the number, location, and relationship to vascular structures of the hepatic lesions, and provide a preliminary judgement on resectability and surgical approach.
Staged or combined resection strategies
When simultaneous colorectal and liver resection is appropriate, we plan it as a single coordinated procedure. When staged surgery is safer, we sequence it to optimise liver remnant and patient recovery between procedures.
Portal vein embolisation and hypertrophy strategies
For patients requiring extended hepatectomy with insufficient future liver remnant, we offer portal vein embolisation (PVE) and, when indicated, ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy) to enable safe major liver resections.
Combined ablation and resection
For patients with multiple lesions or lesions in surgically difficult locations, combining resection with intraoperative radiofrequency or microwave ablation can extend the surgical option to cases not suitable for resection alone.
Hepatic surgery team
Specialists who will review and operate your case
Dr. Francois Quenet
Surgical Oncologist
View profileOver 30 years of experience in hepatobiliary and complex gastrointestinal oncological surgery. Expert in major liver resections, multi-visceral procedures, and complex combined colorectal-hepatic cases. International reference in peritoneal and hepatic surgical oncology.
Prof. Fabrizio Panaro
Hepatobiliary Surgeon
View profileProfessor and hepatobiliary surgeon trained at high-volume European liver surgery centres. Expertise in complex hepatectomies, minimally invasive liver resections, and combined hepatic-peritoneal procedures for metastatic disease.
Dra. Clara Montagut
Medical Oncologist
View teamMedical oncologist specialising in gastrointestinal and metastatic colorectal cancer. Coordinates perioperative systemic chemotherapy, conversion strategies to enable resection, and long-term follow-up after hepatic surgery.
Step by step
Patient journey for international patients seeking liver surgery
01
Send your imaging and reports via secure upload
Share your CT or MRI scans with contrast, PET if available, pathology reports, and current oncological treatment summary. All documentation handled through encrypted channels.
02
Multidisciplinary committee review within 48 h
The hepatobiliary surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiologist specialised in liver imaging review your case together. You receive a written assessment of resectability and a proposed treatment strategy.
03
Video consultation with the surgeon
You meet directly with the hepatobiliary surgeon to discuss the plan, expected extent of resection, recovery, and any need for staged procedures. In English, French, Italian, or Spanish.
04
Logistics and pre-operative coordination
Our international coordinator arranges pre-operative preparation, travel, accommodation for you and a companion near the hospital, and transfers to and from the airport.
05
You arrive when surgery is fully planned
Typically 1-2 weeks before surgery. Hospital stay after major hepatectomy is generally 5 to 10 days. Total time in Spain is usually 3 to 4 weeks. Follow-up is managed in coordination with your local team.
Why choose Spain for liver metastases surgery?
Complex hepatic surgery at a high-volume centre
Major liver resections, two-stage hepatectomies, ALPPS, and combined hepatic-peritoneal procedures require a team with specific and regular experience. This is not routine surgery at general hospitals.
Significantly lower cost than US and UK private benchmarks
Liver resection surgery at major private hospitals in the US or UK can cost 60,000 to 130,000 or more depending on the extent of surgery and hospital stay. Spain offers equivalent surgical quality at a fraction of that cost.
Two strategically located hospitals
Teknon in Barcelona and Memorial Publio Cordon in Madrid, 25-30 km from Madrid-Barajas International Airport. Both have individual private suites, robotic operating rooms, and a 4.9/5 Google rating based on 51+ verified reviews.
Multilingual team, full international support
English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Our international coordinator is the single point of contact from case submission to post-operative discharge planning.
Patient stories
See on Google
★★★★★
What patients say about their experience
(Original reviews in Spanish, authentic patient testimonials)
F
Hace 6 anos
★★★★★
Tengo carcinomatosis peritoneal. Enviando mi diagnostico a todos los centros, practicamente todos coincidian en una quimio paliativa con poco tiempo de supervivencia ya que tenia un tipo de celulas muy agresivas. Hasta que llegamos al Dr. Quenet, Dr. Torrent y su equipo. Solo puedo confirmar lo que su curriculo anuncia: estan muy lejos del resto. Me salvaron la vida, ya que en la operacion no se daban las celulas daninas que todos diagnosticaban y por las que no me operaban. Esta intervencion se ha convertido en la mejor inversion de mi vida.
K
Hace 5 meses
★★★★★
A mi padre en la Salud publica le daban un ano de vida maximo. Solo le daban un tratamiento de quimio y ninguna esperanza, decian que era imposible, que no se podia hacer nada por el. Tenia varios tumores dentro del saco peritoneal con metastasis. Un ano y medio despues esta limpio, totalmente curado. En el ultimo PET (prueba de imagen) ha salido limpio. Estamos muy contentos. Gracias al Dr. Torrent y su equipo. GRACIAS.
L
Hace 4 semanas
★★★★★
Maravilloso equipo quirurgico, de lo mejor que hay. El Dr. Torrent (experto en carcinomatosis peritoneal) es un cirujano excepcional y mejor persona. Su coordinadora super amable, rapida y eficiente. El trato humano es estupendo y los resultados tambien. Esto es de vital importancia para los pacientes con cancer.
Questions from international patients about liver metastases surgery
Who is on the surgical team for liver metastases?
The hepatic surgery programme is led by Dr. Francois Quenet and Prof. Fabrizio Panaro, with Dra. Clara Montagut as the medical oncologist coordinating perioperative systemic therapy. The full multidisciplinary team reviews every international case before a recommendation is issued.
How quickly will I receive a response after submitting my case?
We target a written response within 48 working hours of receiving your complete imaging and reports. This includes the multidisciplinary team's assessment of resectability and a proposed treatment plan.
Can resectability be assessed without me travelling first?
In the majority of cases, yes. A high-quality CT or MRI with contrast provides enough information for a preliminary resectability assessment. If additional imaging or pre-operative evaluation is needed, we will tell you before any travel is arranged.
What languages are consultations available in?
English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Our international coordinator communicates in English and handles all administrative correspondence.
How is the cost structured for liver surgery?
After reviewing your case, we provide a detailed written quote covering the surgical procedure, anaesthesia, hospital stay, and standard post-operative care. The quote is issued before you make any travel commitment. There is no charge for the initial case assessment.
What is the typical hospital stay after liver resection?
Hospital stay after a major hepatectomy is typically 5 to 10 days depending on the extent of resection and individual recovery. We recommend remaining in Spain for an additional week after discharge before travelling home. Total time in Spain is typically 3 to 4 weeks.
Can my family accompany me throughout the stay?
Yes. Both Teknon in Barcelona and Memorial Publio Cordon in Madrid offer individual private suites where a companion can stay with the patient throughout the admission. We actively encourage family presence for international patients.
What happens with follow-up after I return home?
We provide a comprehensive discharge report with all imaging, pathology, surgical findings, and follow-up recommendations. Remote video follow-up consultations are available at agreed intervals. We liaise with your local oncologist to ensure continuity of care after you return home.
Request your liver metastases assessment today
Send your imaging and clinical reports. The Quenet Torrent Institute team will review your case within 48 hours and provide a clear expert opinion on resectability and options.
¿Dónde tratarse liver metastases resection?
Operamos en dos hospitales privados de referencia en España. El mismo equipo médico te atiende en Madrid y Barcelona, con los mismos estándares quirúrgicos y oncológicos.
Madrid
Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón
Hospital privado en Pozuelo de Alarcón con equipo multidisciplinar especializado en cirugía oncológica digestiva y tecnología quirúrgica de vanguardia.
Ver hospital
Barcelona
Centro Médico Teknon
Hospital privado de referencia internacional en Barcelona donde el equipo desarrolla su actividad de cirugía oncológica de alta complejidad.
Ver hospitalArtículos relacionados
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