In RFS, univariate analysis identified the following factors as significantly linked to HCC recurrence: age > 60 years, presence of DM, presence of liver cirrhosis, platelet count < 150 × 109/L, albumin < 3 g/dL, FIB − 4 > 2, tumor size > 5 cm, TNM stage, histology grade, and presence of vascular invasion (Table 2). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is diabetes mellitus.