For OS, the univariate analysis indicated that the significant factors that influenced OS rate were NEIL3 expression (hazard ratio (HR) 2.368; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.414–3.968; P=0.001), TNM stage (HR 3.257; 95% CI 1.982–5.352; P < 0.001), AFP (HR 2.550; 95% CI 1.410–4.614; P=0.002), tumor size (HR 2.571; 95% CI 1.531–4.312; P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (HR 2.710; 95% CI 1.649–4.451; P < 0.001), and BCLC stage (HR 2.012; 95% CI 1.231–3.286; P=0.005). The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is neoplasm.