Comparison of clinical outcomes between passive scattering versus pencil-beam scanning proton beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

•Proton beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is efficacious and safe.•Only passive scattering method has been studied in proton beam therapy for HCC.•Pencil-beam scanning nozzle enabling intensity modulation is increasingly equipped.•Our study showed the comparable outcomes between both methods in the treatment of HCC.