Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and lethal malignancy worldwide that arises within the context of a host of diseases. Surgery is the primary option for tumor treatment and is thus the most effective therapy to allow the best overall survival and recurrence-free survival for patients. One aim of this paper is to present and discuss recent advances in the surgical treatment of HCC such as associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), laparoscopic hepatectomy, and robotic liver resection, and another aim of this paper is to highlight current issues in the surgical treatment of HCC such as extended indications.