Until recently, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was the only standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to the worldwide guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC (1,2). However, TACE is not always effective in providing a survival benefit because of the extreme heterogeneity of intermediate-stage HCC regarding tumor size and number, and liver function (Child-Pugh A5-B9).