AFP and neoplasm: For DFS, univariate analysis showed that NEIL3 expression (HR 2.172; 95% CI 1.392–2.390; P = 0.001), TNM stage (HR 2.873; 95% CI 1.826–4.520; P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (HR 1.970; 95% CI 1.284–3.022; P=0.002), tumor size (HR 1.745; 95% CI 1.135–2.683; P=0.011), AFP (HR 1.864; 95% CI 1.160–2.995; P=0.010), and BCLC stage (HR 1.948; 95% CI 1.263–3.004; P=0.003) were significant variables.