Intention-to-treat analysis of liver transplantation, resection and thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in a single centre.

LT offered the lowest rate of cancer recurrence and highest chance of long-term survival. Differences in outcome likely reflect a combination of cancer-related factors (AFP, micro- and macrovascular invasion), patient-related factors (performance status, co-morbidities and psychosocial issues) and treatment type. Two thirds of patients treated by LR and three quarters treated by TA had HCC recurrence by 5 years, reinforcing the need for close long-term surveillance.