In univariate analysis, tumor size >3 cm (HR 3.0, 95%CI 1.1–8.2, p = 0.032) predicted HCC-specific mortality and a pre-operative α-fetoprotein (AFP) level >100 μgl−1 (HR 2.1, 95%CI 0.9–5.3, p = 0.092) showed a non-significant trend toward predicting HCC-specific mortality. This evidence concerns the gene AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma.