Cox regression analyses revealed that a tumour number equal to or greater than two (HR 1.54), AFP > 400 μg/l (HR 1.14), serum albumin < 3.6 g/dl (HR 1.63) and total bilirubin > 0.9 mg/dl (HR 1.58) were independent risk factors in our population (Table. 4). Here, ALB is linked to neoplasm.