AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: Similarly, a higher TBS was associated with higher cumulative recurrence rates following HCC resection (low vs. medium vs. high TBS, 1-year recurrence: 19.2% vs. 27.6% vs. 48.2%; 3-year recurrence: 41.1% vs. 56.2% vs. 68.7%; p < 0.001), as were the higher pre-operative AFP levels (low vs. high AFP; 1-year recurrence: 22.5% vs. 47.3%; 3-year recurrence: 49.3% vs. 65.3%; p < 0.001).