Another univariate analysis identified that hepatitis C virus infection as an underlying liver disease (P = 0.037), Child-Pugh score 6 (P = 0.001), platelet count < 100 × 109/L (P < 0.001), serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL (P = 0.007), sodium level < 135 mmol/L (P < 0.001), PIVKA-II level ≥ 1000 mAU/mL (P = 0.008), maximum tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm (P < 0.001), and initial treatment other than resection (P < 0.001) were associated with poorer progression-free survival after initial treatment. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and hepatitis C virus infection.