Figure 1. Interpretation of lesion with resectable-ablative characteristics.

Liver metastasis can be categorized as resectable but not ablative (A–C), unresectable nor unablative from a technical point of view, and resectable-ablative (resection or complete ablation) (D–F) based on tumor size, location or distance with surrounding vital structure. (A–B) These two lesions (6.8 × 5.7 cm and 3.2 × 3.1 cm) were in Segment VII/VIII and the left lobe that was adjacent to the heart and stomach, respectively. They were suitable for resection but not for ablation due to their large size or proximity to the adjacent organ, which was high risk for tumor residual and complications. (C) The lesion (2.7 × 2.4 cm) was located in Segment VII, compressing the right hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava. This lesion was suitable for resection but not for complete ablation due to its poor anatomic location resulting in highly recurrence. (D–F) These lesions, classified as resectable-ablative, could be treated by resection or complete ablation without the limit of the size, the location (beyond more than 1 cm from peripheral large vessel such as hepatic vein or portal vein) or difficulty from the procedure technique after obtaining consensus of a radiologist and a hepatobiliary surgeon.