Table 1 Main inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study

Inclusion criteria

 Single tumor

 3 cm ≤ diameter of tumor< 5 cm

 ECOG score 0–1

 Liver function of grade Child A or B

 Receiving the first treatment in our center: liver resection or RFA

 All cases were accomplished with laparotomy

 Able to receive the complete postoperative regular follow-up visit or inspection

Exclusion criteria

 Tumor thrombus in major vessels

 Multiple tumors, or distant metastasis

 The heart and lung function of the patients cannot tolerate surgical treatment

 Cannot take the surgery due to other diseases

 Cases with preoperative intervention of HIFU knife on the lesion or other preoperative relevant downgrade treatment

 Liver function at level C (patients achieving levels A or B after liver-protection treatment can be incorporated)

 Cases with postoperative diagnosis of biliary carcinoma or other non-liver-cell liver cancer

 Cases that received other treatment means

 Cases without follow-up after the surgery

 Other treatment cases that adopted intravenous chemotherapy or took sorafenib after the surgery

 Other surgical contraindications, such as coagulation disorders