Logistic regression analysis of the 13,908 screening events in the derivation dataset identified factors predicting presence of HCC: new nodule(s) by US, old age, male sex, presence of cirrhosis, high AFP levels, high HBsAg titers, low albumin levels, high bilirubin levels, high AST levels, low platelet counts and prolonged prothrombin time were significant predictors of HCC presence (Table 2). Here, ALB is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.