Table 3 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

1 Age range: 18–75 years

Age < 18 or > 75 years

2 HCC diagnosed according to EASL standards

No pathology or image evidence

3 Child–Pugh grade A or B

Child–Pugh grade C

3 BCLC grades are A and B

BCLC grades are C

4 ECOG score≦2

ECOG score > 2

4 Liver lesions ≤3

The liver lesions number > 3

5 Single tumour diameter < 5 cm

Single tumour diameter≧5

6 The expected survival time > 3 months

The expected survival time ≤ 3 months

7 No portal vein thrombus

Portal vein thrombus

8 No extrahepatic metastases

Extrahepatic metastases

9 PLT > 40 × 109/L or PT ≤25 s

PLT ≤ 40 × 109/L or PT > 25 s