Preface

"It is a most gratifying sign of the rapid progress of our time that our best textbooks become antiquated so quickly."

Theodor Billroth (1829‐1894)

In the last few years the knowledge about liver tumors has progressed rapidly involving many fields of science such as molecular biology and genetics, pharmacology, imaging techniques, invasive radiology and surgery, etc. That is why the above Billroth's sentence is becoming more actual than ever.

The overriding goal in development of this book has been the mobilization of information related to the very selected key topics in the biology, diagnosis and management of liver tumors. Experts from clinics and laboratories from around the world, including Europe, North America and Asia shared their knowledge and experience gained in the understanding and management of primary and metastatic liver cancer. Conflicting opinions in some chapters will be noted, but they allow the reader to assess the points of view of experts with different approaches to a particular problem.

This book is oriented towards clinicians and scientists in the field of the management of patients with liver tumors. As many unresolved problems regarding primary and metastatic liver cancer still await investigation, I hope this book can serve as a tiny step on a long way that we need to run on the battlefield of liver tumors.

> **Alexander Julianov, MD, PhD, FACS** Clinical Director and Chief, Department of Surgery Thracian University Hospital Associate Professor of Surgery Thracian University Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
