A brief comment on liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Although only 30–40% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are eligible for surgery, it remains the most feasible and efficient treatment [1, 2]. The three most important factors that have led to reduce mortality, with a 70% expectation of 5-year survival, are: i) better liver function assessment, ii) understanding of the segmental liver anatomy through more accurate imaging studies and iii) technical advances in surgical procedures [3]. Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice for HCC, especially in non-cirrhotic patients. Major resections can be carried out with low rates of life-threatening complications. Conversely, among patients who have cirrhosis, strict selection criteria are required to avoid treatment-related complications.