The trial was intentionally designed in 1997 as an unresticted collection of patients with histologically proved HCC and a HCV-related cirrhosis selected for surgical resection of the tumor in 4 experienced surgical Liver Units in Italy. Eligible patients were stratified on the basis of concomitant anti-core antibodies against HBV (anti-HBc) into two populations: “pure HCV” (HCV-RNA:positive, anti-HBc:negative) and “mixed HCV+HBV” (HCV-RNA:positive, anti-HBc:positive). Within each strata patients were then randomized in a 1:1 ratio to treatment with α-interferon (IFN) vs. no treatment (control). No restriction criteria were applied to tumor stage, as far as the resection of HCC was judged as potentially curative at pre-operative staging, intra-operative ultrasound and post-operative pathology (clearance of surgical margins).