While the others failed to demonstrate independence, DLC1 expression (HR: 2.234, 95 % CI: 0.937–4.148, p < 0.001), tumor differentiation (HR: 3.769, 95 % CI: 1.925–6.989, P = 0.003), and portal vein invasion and dissemination (HR: 1.341,95 % CI: 0.843–2.631, p < 0.001) may play a role in predicting the overall survival in HCC (p < 0.05). The gene discussed is DLC1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.