AIM:To evaluate the curative effect of stageII surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma after TAE.METHODS:Thirty-eight patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).When the sizes of tumors were markedly reduced after TAE, stage II surgical resections were performed.RESULTS:Before TAE, the diameters of tumors were 12.84cm & plusmn; 4.87cm (x & plusmn;s), but reduced to 5.12 cm& plusmn; 1.82cm (x& plusmn; s) after TAE (P < 0.001). Pathologic examination of the resected specimens revealed obvious necrosis in most cases. After surgery, 26 patients were alive, with the longest survival of 96 months, twelve died and 10 had tumor recurrence.CONCLUSION:Patients in moderate and advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma after TAE should be treated surgically, but the indication must be controlled strictly.