AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: The results showed that the levels of serum AFP, AFP-L3, and CTCs of patients in non-recurrent group, CR + PR group, and OS > 3 years group were significantly lower than those of patients in recurrent group, SD + PD group and OS < 3 years group (P < 0.05), suggesting that serum AFP, AFP-L3, and CTCs may be valuable indicators in predicting the short-term efficacy, prognosis and postoperative recurrence of HCC patients after MWA treatment.