MELK and neoplasm: In the multivariate analysis, DFS was associated with MELK (HR 2.251; 95% CI 1.274–3.977; p = 0.005), tumor stage (T1 and T2 vs. T3 and T4, HR 2.416; 95% CI 1.398–4.175; p = 0.002), tumor status (tumor-free vs. with tumor, HR 6.558; 95% CI 4.006–10.738; p < 0.001), and AFP (AFP ≤ 200 VS.