Decrease in Circulating Tumour Cell Count Reflects the Effectiveness of Postoperative Adjuvant Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) in Preventing Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence

Inclusion Criteria:

* definitive pathological diagnosis of HCC based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria;
* underwent curative resection one month ago, CT or MRI detecting no new lesions when recruited;
* CTC counts≥2 after resection;
* age between 18 and 75 years;
* adequate hematologic function (platelet count: \>60 × 109 platelets/L; hemoglobin: \>90g/L; and prothrombin time: \<3 seconds above control);
* adequate renal function (serum creatinine: ≤1.5 × upper limit of normal);
* Child-Pugh classification A or B grade

Exclusion Criteria:

* a hypovascular tumor (defined as a tumor with all its parts less contrast-enhanced than the nontumorous liver parenchyma on arterial phase computed tomography scans);
* diffuse-type HCC;
* evidence of hepatic decompensation including esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding or hepatic encephalopathy;
* severe underlying cardiac or renal diseases;
* color Doppler ultrasonography showing portal vein tumor thrombosis with complete main portal vein obstruction without cavernous transformation;
* obstructive jaundice