In addition, the serum AFP level yielded an AUROC of 0.881 (95% CI: 0.827–0.923, P < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 82.93%, a specificity of 96.71%, a PPV of 87.2% and an NPV of 95.5% in the diagnosis of HCC from CHB and LC. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.