Background/Aims: The factors which predict the long-term outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are treated with percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) are not well established. Methods: We prospectively analyzed treatment and survival parameters of 148 cirrhotic patients with nonsurgical hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone PLA at a single institution during an 11-year period. Results: Single tumors were seen in 129 of 148 (87%) patients, and 2-3 nodules were seen in 19 (13%) patients, for a total of 169 tumors. The median overall time survival was 39 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 30-47 months). The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 89, 75, 52, 43, and 27%, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, the independent predictors of survival were found to be tumor grading (P = 0.002; risk ratio [RR] 0.37, 95% CI 0.20-0.70), bilirubin levels <= 2.5 mg/dl (P = 0.014; RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.09-2.28), and the achievement of complete tumor ablation (P = 0.020; RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.90). An initial complete tumor ablation was the only factor associated with longer survival in patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A cirrhosis (P = 0.012; hazard ratio [HR] 0.48, 95 % CI 0.23-1.03). Conclusions: A complete tumor ablation results in improved survival in all patients with nonsurgical hepatocellular carcinoma. Ideal candidates for PLA are those with a well-differentiated histology, and normal bilirubin levels. (c) 2006 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.