STAT3 and neoplasm: To further validate the activation of STAT3 in surrounding non-tumor tissues in HCC with late recurrence, we carried out immunohistostaining of STAT3 and p-STAT3, an indicator of STAT3 activation [46], with normal liver tissue, surrounding tissues of HCC with early recurrence (<1 y), and surrounding tissues of HCC with late recurrence (>3 y).