Liver transplantation is one of the best approaches for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The concept of transplant oncology could shed light on the whole process management of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The success rate of operation and perioperative safety were the major concerns in the past, whereas the focus of treatment is gradually shifting to cancer treatment and improving patient survival and quality of life, with the promotion of neoadjuvant and postoperative adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The prognosis of different group of patients might be heterogeneous. Therefore, refined stratification should be carried out for heterogeneous patients before and after liver transplantation to achieve the best prognosis. The present study classified patients for three clusters: primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients within the transplant criteria, hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver resection, and patients after down-staging or neoadjuvant therapy. Fine stratified management are essential for the whole process management in the new era of transplant oncology.