The initial analysis revealed that female gender (HR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.03–1.37, p = 0.017), Child-Pugh A (HR: 3.8, 95% CI: 3.34–4.36, p <0.001), AFP <400 ng/ml (HR: 3.2, 95% CI: 2.74–3.74, p <0.001), BCLC stage 0/A (HR: 4.7, 95% CI: 4.04–5.52, p <0.001), curative therapy (HR: 4.3, 95% CI: 3.59–5.07, p <0.001), and the presence of EHPC after HCC diagnosis (HR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.02–3.06, p = 0.041) were factors associated with overall survival. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.