ALB and hepatocellular carcinoma: Laboratory investigations (Table 1) showed a markedly elevated serum AFP concentration in the HCC group (4120 ng/mL), together with deranged liver function tests (ALT: 26.7 U/mL, AST: 59.67 U/mL, AST/ALT: 2.37, albumin: 3.13 g/dL).