We have read the article of Hyun MH et al. with great interest (1). We commend the authors for this study that tackles a crucial point in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is a critical need to refine and eventually to expand the selection criteria of HCC patients who may benefit from curative therapies such as surgical resection (SR). There is accumulating evidence on improved survival after SR as opposed to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with intermediate stage HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage B (BCLC-B)), although American (AASLD) and European (EASL) consensus guidelines recommend TACE in this setting (2, 3). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.