Several risk factors significantly influenced HCC recurrence (Table 3), including CK19 positivity (P = 0.007), multiple nodules (P=0.005), hepatitis B surface antigen positivity (P=0.033) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) >37ng/ml (P=0.015). Here, KRT19 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.