To investigate whether the prognostic value of Cripto-1 combined with serum AFP level was superior to AFP alone, we divided the HCC patients into four groups according to Cripto-1 expression and serum AFP level and found that combination of Cripto-1 and serum AFP level could be used for predicting the risk of tumor recurrence and survival of patients. The gene discussed is CRIPTO; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.