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This dissertation, "Application of High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation to Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cirrhosis" by Tan-to, Cheung,, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Despite the advancement of operative techniques and experience gained in complicated hepatectomy, the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis remains difficult. Local ablative treatment provides a chance of cure for patients with HCCs unresectable due to poor liver function. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation are two modes of local ablative treatment. The former has been widely used while the latter is a relatively new option. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the safety profile of the latter and its role in the treatment of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. From 2001 to 2007, 310 patients underwent RFA as a treatment for HCC. Evaluation of the safety profile of this treatment option found that complications of RFA occurred in 39 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between intolerance of RFA and cirrhosis. RFA may not be well tolerated in patients with marginal liver function. Since RFA had been found not well tolerated in patients with cirrhosis, the safety profile of HIFU ablation was examined. From October 2008 to June 2010, 100 patients underwent HIFU ablation for HCC. Thirteen patients showed intolerance of the treatment, which was mainly manifested as skin or subcutaneous injury. HIFU ablation was well tolerated in patients with cirrhosis. The efficacy of HIFU treatment was further eva