Surgical resection involves surgeons cutting out the tumors from the liver directly. The procedure is performed with the patient unconscious in an operating room. This is a very effective treatment for liver cancer, but the surgery can be performed only if the patient's liver is functioning well enough to allow a portion of it to be removed. Surgical resection can be quite stressful to the liver because it is cut directly. Patients often remain in the hospital for monitoring for several days after receiving this treatment.