Localized hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the BCLC-B stage may be better treated with liver resection instead of standard therapy.

• New findings indicate selective liver resection can improve outcomes for specific BCLC-B patients.
• Emerging subclassifications within BCLC-B highlight the heterogeneity of this stage, necessitating tailored approaches.

Surgeons should consider patient-specific factors to optimize treatment plans and potentially improve surgical outcomes.

• Updated guidelines advocate for careful patient selection for surgical intervention.