Continuous variables were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges and were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Categorical variables were compared with the χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test when appropriate. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and cumulative incidence of second recurrence of the two study groups were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparison of survival between groups was performed with the log-rank test. Disease-free survival following treatment of the first recurrence of HCC was defined as the period from the date of treatment of the first recurrence of HCC to the date of the second tumor recurrence or death. Overall survival after treatment of the first recurrence of HCC was defined as the period from the date of treatment of the first recurrence to the date of death related to any cause. Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors with the overall survival were evaluated by step wise forwards Cox’s regression analysis. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 19.0 computer software program.