In the multivariate analysis, mortality was significantly associated with the following: diminished LC3 expression in both the tumor and ANT tissues, in the HCC tissues alone and in the ANT tissues alone (hazard ratio/95% confidence interval: 6.74/2.052–22.19, 6.70/1.321–33.98 and 2.58/1.499–4.915, respectively); recurrent HCC (5.11/3.136–8.342); HBV infection (2.75/1.574–4.784); cirrhosis (1.78/1.059–2.974); and antiviral therapy (0.42/0.250–0.697). The gene discussed is MAP1LC3A; the disease is Cirrhosis.