Surgical
resection in these cases is associated with an overall
survival rate of 90%. For patients presenting
with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma who
have some preserved liver function (falling within
class A or B of the Child–Pugh system) with
a solitary hepatocellular-carcinoma nodule measuring
less than 5 cm in diameter or no more than
three nodules, each measuring less than 3 cm in
diameter, the choice of therapy is dictated by the
severity of the liver dysfunction, the extent of portal
hypertension, and the patient’s status with respect
to coexisting conditions.