As control subgroup, the sensitivity value of AFP assay was 0.523, which was similar to the result of Farinati et al (the sensitivity was 0.54).48 HCC diagnostic sensitivity in the quantitative analysis subgroup (χ2 = 50.3, P < 0.001) and combined-AFP analysis subgroup (χ2 = 88.74, P < 0.001) was superior to AFP assay alone, although not for the subgroup of qualitative analysis (χ2 = 0.343, P = 0.558). Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.