Variables with P values < 0.10 were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis, which revealed that MVI at LR (OR = 3.71;95% CI: 1.04–13.29, P = 0.044), a time interval to post-LR HCC recurrence of ≤ 12months (OR = 4.04;95% CI: 1.23–13.32, P = 0.022), AFP level>200 ng/mL at LT (OR = 6.53;95% CI: 1.17–36.51, P = 0.033), and HCC status outside the UCSF criteria at LT (OR = 6.12;95% CI: 1.39–26.92, P = 0.016) were independent risk factors for HCC recurrence following salvage LT. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.