Prior history of AD (ablation group, p = 0.018), higher AFP level (ablation group, p = 0.011), higher ALBI score (ablation group, p = 0.003), higher Child-Pugh score (chemoembolization group, p < 0.001; systemic therapy group, p < 0.001), higher alanine aminotransferase level (chemoembolization group, p = 0.009), higher bilirubin level (chemoembolization group, p = 0.014), and, higher creatinine level (systemic therapy group, p = 0.007) were the predictive factors for the development of AD after each type of treatment strategy for HCC. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.