In univariate analysis the risk factors for 3y HCC recurrence were preoperative total serum bilirubin >1.5 mg/dl (P = 0.04), preoperative model of end stage liver disease (MELD) score > 10 (P = 0.03), AFP > 400 ng/ml (P = 0.04), TTV > 65.5 cm3 (P = 0.03), AFP/TTV >2 (P = 0.01), macrovascular invasion (P = 0.001), pathological tumor grades III&IV (P = 0.02), and microvascular invasion (P = 0.001). Here, AFP is linked to neoplasm.