We included all factors in the univariate regression analysis and identified nine variables that were significantly associated with survival, such as age, sex, race, etc. Next, we included these nine variables in the multivariate regression analysis and identified seven variables, age, race, AJCC stage, degree of tumour differentiation, tumour size, AFP and tumour therapy, that were independent prognostic factors for elderly patients with HCC (Table 2). The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.