AFP and inflammatory response: Identified predictors of HCC recurrence after curative therapies include tumor factors (including tumor size, number, tumor cell differentiation, vascular invasion, extra-hepatic metastasis, and serum AFP level), liver functional reserve (such as serum albumin level, platelet count, and portal hypertension), and field factors in the background liver (including the grade of hepatic inflammation and steatosis and the stage of liver fibrosis)12,18,25–29.