Hepatocellular carcinoma has a propensity to invade the intra-hepatic vascular system, especially the portal vein system and, therefore, leads to the formation of the portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Once PVTT occurs, the disease will progress rapidly with a dismal prognosis. Based on the existing data of evidence-based medicine, particularly the results from research on hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with PVTT achieved by Chinese scholars, the Chinese Expert Consensus on Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus (2016 edition) has been developed by the National Research Cooperative Group for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus. Here, the authors interpret the consensus from the aspects of the PVTT classification and treatment selection for different types of tumor thrombus, etc.