To identify prognostic factors taking in account recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, 24 clinical, biological and morphological factors were evaluated by means of uni- and multivariate analysis in 84 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed between 1984 and 1991. Okuda's grading (P < 0.01), creatininemia (P < 0.01), and treatment (P < 0.05) were independant prognostic factors. Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin reached a significant level (P < 0. 05) in a subgroup of 32 recent patients but its prognostic value needs to be confirmed. Further prospective randomized trials comparing surgical and non-surgical treatment should take these factors into account.