Edmondson grade 3–4 at LR (P = 0.004), the presence of MVI at LR (P = 0.001), time interval to post-LR HCC recurrence of ≤ 12 months (P = 0.001), AFP level>200 ng/mL at LT (P = 0.002), HCC status outside the UCSF criteria at LT (P = 0.001), and MELD score at LT ≥ 15(P = 0.005) were associated with OS. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.