AFP and hepatitis A virus infection: Hepatitis is the main risk factor of HCC and AFP is secreted by about half of the HCC tumor.29, 30 Though AFP was not recommended for the HCC diagnosis by the “American Association for the Study of Liver Disease” (AASLD) and the “European Association for Study of the Liver” (EASL), AFP is still a part of the diagnostic criteria of HCC in Asian countries.31, 32 Epidemiological studies have shown a higher incidence of HCC in men than in women.