(a) age 18-75 years and refusal to undergo surgery; (b) a solitary HCC 7.0 cm in diameter or smaller or multiple (up to three) HCCs 3.0 cm in diameter or smaller; (c) lesions visible at ultrasonography (US), with an acceptable and safe path between the lesion and the skin seen on the US scan; (d) no extrahepatic metastasis; (e) no imaging evidence of tumor invasion into the major portal or hepatic vein branches; (f) no history of encephalopathy, ascites refractory to diuretics, or variceal bleeding; (g) a platelet count of more than 40 000 cells/mm3 and (h) no previous treatment for HCC except liver resection.