AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: Although the use of AFP testing for the early diagnosis of HCC is controversial, serum AFP is recommended as a prognostic biomarker for HCC outcome in clinical practice.19, 20, 21, 22 However, the role of AFP levels at diagnosis as an independent risk predictor associated with OS remains unclear.23, 24 Our data indicate that elevated AFP level is a significant prognostic factor for HCC OS in all three race groups.