Surgical resection outperforms other treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma in survival and recurrence rates, but patient selection is critical.

• Expert consensus emphasizes that careful patient selection leads to better outcomes and fewer complications.
• Surgical resection achieves the lowest local recurrence rate and the highest survival rate, especially in suitable candidates.

Optimize surgical results by adhering to standardized guidelines and managing liver function effectively pre- and post-operation.

• The recommendations address variations in clinical environments and key considerations for minimally invasive techniques.