In subgroup analyses, a significant correlation between Ki-67 and T stage was found in the primary HCC group, but not in the recurrent HCC group (Figure 2C, Spearman correlation R = 0.459, P = 1.2 × 10−5 and R = −0.139, P = 0.527, respectively). Here, MKI67 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.