Univariate analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with RFS for all cases (n = 233): HCC stage (P < 0.001): tumor number (P < 0.001): IFN therapy after surgery (P = 0.019): aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 60 IU/L (P = 0.042): alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 50 IU/L (P = 0.014): AFP > 20 ng/mL (P = 0.010): DCP > 100 mAU/mL (P = 0.031): and microscopic vascular invasion (P < 0.001) (Table 2). Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.