The unadjusted univariate Cox model showed that (i) the risk score (P<0.001), (ii) the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage (P=0.008, II, III and IV vs I) and (iii) α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (P=0.015) were statistically related to the prognosis of HCC. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.