Inclusion Criteria:

1. age 18 - 75 years;

2. recurrence of HCC 12 months after initial hepatectomy;

3. no other treatment received except for the initial hepatectomy;

4. Single tumor≤5cm in diameter; or 2-3 lesions each ≤ 3.0 cm

5. lesions visible on ultrasound and with an acceptable and safe path between the lesion
and the skin as shown on ultrasound;

6. no severe coagulation disorders (prothrombin activity < 40% or a platelet count of <
40,000 / mm3;

7. Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group performance(ECOG) status 0 -1

Exclusion Criteria:

1. the presence of vascular invasion or extrahepatic spread on imaging;

2. a Child-Pugh class C liver cirrhosis or evidence of hepatic decompensation including
ascites, severe coagulation disorders (prothrombin activity < 40% or a platelet count
of < 40,000 / mm3), esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding or hepatic
encephalopathy;

3. an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥ 3 -