Koda 2001.

Study characteristics
Methods	Randomised clinical trial
Participants	Country: Japan Number randomised: 52 Postrandomisation dropouts: not stated Revised sample size: 52 Average age: 66 years Females: 22 (42.3%) Cirrhosis: 46 (88.5%) Very early HCC: not stated Portal hypertension: not stated Viral aetiology: 49 (94.2%) Immunotherapy/antiviral adjuvant therapy: not stated Average follow‐up period in months (for all groups): mean: 30 Criteria for early or very early HCC and other inclusion criteria: 1 to 3 nodules, ≤ 3 cm No portal thrombosis No extrahepatic metastases
Interventions	Participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups: Group 1: TACE plus PEI (n = 26). Further details: TACE using iodised oil, epirubicin hydrocholoride, and gelatin sponge; PEI using 1 to 12 mL absolute alcohol per session. Group 2: PEI (n = 26). Further details: PEI using 1 to 12 mL absolute alcohol per session.
Outcomes	The outcomes reported were: mortality, cancer‐related mortality, adverse events.
Notes	Reasons for postrandomisation dropouts: not stated
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Comment: this information was not available.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Quote: "sealed‐envelope method" Comment: further details were not available.
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Comment: this information was not available.
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Comment: this information was not available.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Comment: this information was not available.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	Comment: important clinical outcomes were reported.
For‐profit bias	Unclear risk	Comment: this information was not available.
Other bias	Low risk	Comment: no other bias noted.