Intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma: How to choose the best treatment modality?

Table 1 Main transarterial chemoembolization contraindications in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver failure

Refractory ascites

Encephalopathy

Bilirubin level > 3 mg/dL

Renal failure

Creatinine > 2 mg/dL or creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min

Coagulopathy

Platelet count < 50 × 109/L

Prothrombin time < 50% or prolonged > 4 s

Portal hypertension

Variceal bleeding within past 3 mo

Varices at high risk of bleeding

Circulatory impairment

Main portal venous thrombosis

Severely reduced portal flow or hepatofugal blood flow

Untreatable arteriovenous fistula

Hepatic artery thrombosis

Severe atheromatosis